The College of Retail Training

The College of Retail Training was established in 1987 as a skills centre and continues to operate today as a bipartite, not for profit organisation controlled by a committee of management. 

The organisation assists retailers to adopt a strategic approach to their training through the development of a strategic vision for skills formation. 

Background 

The College of Retail Training has 5 staff (4 full-time, 1 part-time) and operates in all regions of Western Australia.  Training can be conducted either in the workplace or at the college's training facility in Osborne Park.

Offering the Certificate II in Retail, Certificate III in Retail and Certificate IV in Retail Management, as well as training solutions on a fee for service basis, the organisation operates at the grass roots of the retail industry. 

Management attributes the ongoing success of the College of Retail Training to having a small but committed staff that works closely with the committee of management and clients. 

Innovation

The College of Retail Training works hard with employers to develop a business case supporting the adoption of accredited training.  This demonstrates a commitment to a longer term business relationship rather than being a simple service provider to the retail industry. This capacity to work with organisations for strategic objectives is a key factor of the success of the College of Retail Training. 

Success

"The College of Retail Training chooses clients with care and works to develop solid client relationships and because of this achieves substantial repeat business"

The organisation commits to healthy relationships with clients based on trust. There is a capacity and a willingness to work out of hours to meet client expectations.  This capacity to recognise that retailing is not confined to normal business hours has been a significant success factor for the College of Retail Training. The college trainers are active across the breadth of retail opening times, training in the workplace after appropriate consultation and negotiation with the trainee and employer.