The skills shortage affecting NSW's recovering retail sector is about to get a boost, with free training places on offer to help fill thousands of jobs over the Christmas retail period.
More than 3,500 fee free training places are available across 40 different short courses to prepare workers, while more places will be added if there is a greater demand.
The training is funded under the joint State and Federal JobTrainer program, which has seen more than 143,000 enrolments since October 2020.
Free retail short courses include:
- Statement of Attainment in Retail - Point of Sale, Handle Stock and Identify/Respond to Security Risks)
- Statement of Attainment in Retail - Visual Merchandising, Plan a Career in the Retail Industry, Advise on Products & Services, Work in a Team
- Statement of Attainment in Retail Customer Service
- Manage Disrespectful, Aggressive or Abusive Customers
- Food Safety Supervision
- Licence to Operate a Forklift and Manual Handling
Skills and Tertiary Education Minister Geoff Lee encourages people to take up the courses through TAFE NSW and other registered training providers to learn specialist customer service and retail operation skills.
"People from all over the State are lining up to get into our local shops, from pharmacies to supermarkets and florists and the NSW Government wants to help support those businesses attract enthusiastic and skilled staff," Mr Lee said.
"Retail accounts for more than 44,000 NSW businesses, employing one in 10 workers. It's our second-largest employer and a hugely important part of the job market."
