Skills And Training

The ARA’s Skills and Training Advisory Committee provides the retail industry with strategic leadership insights to Human Resources and Learning and Development best practices. 

It has a history of achievement that gives effect to the Retail Institute and its depth of expertise in retail.

The Committee supports the development of Retail As a Career through strategic initiatives which focus on the three key aspects of: attract, develop and retain.

The Committee consists of HR and L&D professionals and provides leadership insights on issues relating to learning, future workforce needs, skill benchmarks and trends.

Senior L&D/HR/People & Culture representatives nominated by ARA members.

Purpose

To identify and respond to the current and emerging skills needs and workforce challenges of the retail sector. A source of intelligence and advice regarding workforce issues, employer needs and education and training initiatives to meet current and future industry requirements.

Key Recent Issues

  • Advocating for Retail as a Career
  • Digital Skills Training (accredited & non-accredited)
  • Retail Supply Chain Training (accredited & non-accredited)
  • University Pathways – Retail specific Graduate Certificate
  • Manage Customer Aggression & Infection Control Skillsets
  • SDA-Nobody Deserves a Serve/Respect & Resilience (campaign & training)
  • Retail Ready Jobs Program
  • Victorian WorkSafe Learning Network
  • Retail recognition as a priority skills area (govt advocacy) 
  • Retail Traineeship funding (govt advocacy) 

Participating Retailers

API, Chemist Warehouse, Super Retail Group, Mecca, Myer, Fantastic Holdings, 7-Eleven, Retail Prodigy Group, TEEG, McDonalds, Heinemann, JB-Hi-Fi and many more.

Committee Leaders

Belinda MacDonald
Head of Learning and Development,
Fantastic Furniture

Nathalie Rosette-Barber
Chief Operating Officer,
Australian Retailers Association