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Westfield and the ARA launch brand new retail learning

Westfield and The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) are proud to announce the launch of Seed, a new initiative offering a comprehensive suite of retail training programs.

Seed practically reflects the real needs of retailers in the current environment. The online training platform will be delivered by leading online training and compliance management centre, Learning Seat.

Seed is the first to offer a blended learning approach to all retailers in Australia and has been developed through a collaboration of experts. Using the retail experience and leadership of Westfield and the ARA alongside the learning expertise of the University of Western Sydney and Learning Seat, Seed is the first retail training of its kind and has been designed to improve the knowledge of retailers.

Seed will offer to retailers a cost-effective and convenient way to train and upskill their staff. Courses have been designed to cover an array of retail related business skills including Product Buying, Visual Merchandising, Marketing, Store Operations and Human Resource Management. These can be undertaken via training programs which include:

• Seed Diploma of Retail Management
• Seed Retail Excellence Workshops
• Seed Online Training Courses
• Seed Professional Development Courses

The Workshops, Diploma and Professional Development Courses will be conducted by an experienced ARA facilitator using practical and realistic case studies and providing useful tools for retailers. The Seed Diploma of Retail Management provides a foundational base to those retailers wishing to obtain formal qualifications in retail and cement a retail career.

ARA Executive Director, Richard Evans said, “The Australian Retailers Association is very pleased to work in partnership with Westfield on the development of the Seed program. We see this program as providing fantastic support for retailers and it is fitting that Westfield are part of this program and continue to position themselves as thought leaders within the sector.”

Steven Lowy, Group Managing Director, Westfield said, “We are looking forward to being a part of this initiative, as we have always been committed to investing in skills for the retail sector. This offers all retailers, large and small, and their staff, a practical and easy-to-use training package.”

Westfield has been part of the retail community for nearly 50 years and during that time, growth has been at the heart of Westfield’s success. Growth is pertinent to retailers and it was through this the Seed initiative was derived along the premise: ‘Growing retailers knowledge, growing retail’.

Joseph Bruzzaniti, chief executive officer of Learning Seat said: “The retail sector is an industry of huge importance to us. We look forward to working with Westfield and the ARA in delivering convenient and cost effective training to retailers nationwide focusing on the long-term success of their retail business.”

The University of Western Sydney has approved articulation of the Seed Diploma of Retail Management into their Bachelor of Business and Commerce Degree, specialising in Retail Management.

Robyn McGuiggan, Executive Dean, College of Business UWS said, “The University of Western Sydney is pleased to have had this opportunity to work closely with Westfield on the Seed project.

“The Seed Diploma of Retail Management provides an educational foundation for those working in the retail sector who wish to obtain relevant formal qualifications and pursue a career in retail management, she continued.”

The online learning platform allows retailers to purchase and access short, interactive courses that are convenient, cost-effective and have targeted learning that relates to an immediate need.

The online portal for Seed can be found at www.retailseed.com.au

For more information please contact:
Cheryl Pettinau
Public Relations Manager
Westfield National Marketing
T +61 (0)2 9358 7997
E cpettinau@au.westfield.com

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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