The Skillshop provides a service to the retail industry helping to raise its profile, attract passionate new staff and develop first class skills for today's fast moving retail environment.

Through a one-stop-virtual-shop it brings together many of the elements needed for a successful retail sector - employers, potential employees, education, training providers and business support partners throughout Dorset.

The Retail Skillshop is funded by the Learning and Skills Council and the European Social Fund.

The Skillshop aims to attract talented and enthusiastic entrants into the industry by promoting it as a dynamic and rewarding career of choice.

The Skillshop provides information and opens doors into retail for young people and helps them explore and develop a career in this exciting and ever evolving industry

* Work placements
* Taster Days
* Young Apprenticeships (14 - 16 years)
* Retail Apprenticeships (16 - 24 years)
* Foundation Degree in Retail

For a young person hoping to enter the world of Retail the Skillshop provides pathways to further and higher education as well as vocational training through the National Retail Apprenticeship. Designed by employers to attract enthusiastic new entrants, the Retail Apprenticeship includes a National Vocational Qualification (Level 2/3), key skills and technical certificates specific to the retail sector. A range of NVQs are also on offer to people over 24. Funding maybe available The Retail Skillshop Co-ordinator can discuss with young people how the apprenticeship and training wage works, help find a placement and bring together all parties for a meaningful and positive first step in retail.

Throughout Dorset the Skillshop promotes the skills and training required for growth in today’s competitive retail environment

Through its partner organisations it also delivers a comprehensive business signposting service on many essential issues including

* Staff training and development
* Business tools and advice
* Mentoring Services
* Mystery Shopper Survey
* Customer Opinion polls

The Skillshop works with independent retail businesses, Town Centre Managers, Chambers of Commerce, independent trading associations, the Federation of Small Business (FSB) and Business Link amongst others. Working with the Sector Skills Council for Retail the Skillshop commissions Mystery Shop Surveys and customer opinion polls to identify business and skills needs within the retail sector and produce and retail strategy for Dorset.

For business owners and managers, the Mystery shopper Survey provides a valuable management facility helping to identify the strengths and weaknesses within their individual business. From here the retailer can work with the RetailSkillshop to access relevant, and often subsidised, training and business support.

Contact the Dorset Retail Skillshop Co-ordinator: 01202 451187 or email