10 Aug 2020
Key Facts
Qualification purpose
Prepare for further learning or training and/or develop knowledge and/or skills in a subject area
Qualification Grading Type
Pass
Assessment Methods
Why choose this qualification?
These qualifications are intended to provide learners with a broad introduction to the retail sector, equipping learners with underpinning knowledge and skills specific to the sector alongside a range of transferable employability skills. They are designed to support progression to further learning and ultimately to work in retail or other related sectors.
The Skills for Retail qualifications form part ofour Suite of Skills qualifications that cover a number of sectors and are available at Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2. The employability skills units are common across the suite, enabling easy transfer of credits between qualifications and supporting opportunities for cross-faculty working.
The qualifications have been developed with the support of a number of further education colleges, training providers and adult and community learning providers. They have been designed to be consistent with the principles for study programmes for 16-19 year olds but are also relevant, particularly in the case of the smaller qualifications, for adults including the unemployed. These qualifications are also suitable for pre 16 learners.
Changes to our “Skills for…” qualifications
The recent review of our Vocational qualifications has resulted in changes to qualifications in the Retail sector that will come in to effect as of the 1st August 2020. Please refer to the new Skills for Retail qualification specification or unit spreadsheet for further details.
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete the two mandatory units from the Mandatory Group (M), totalling 3 credits. In addition, they must complete a minimum of 21 credits from Group O1 (Optional units - Retail Skills) and 13 further credits from either Group O1 or Group O2 (Optional units - Employability Skills). At least 19 credits from Groups O1 and O2 combined must be at Level 1 or above, with at least 11 credits at Level 1 or above coming from Group O1. Learners cannot include more than one unit with the same or similar title.
Units
A minimum of 3 credits must be completed from this group
Understanding Customer Service in the Retail Sector
Understanding the Business of Retail
A minimum of 21 credits must be completed from this group, of which 11 credits must be at Level 1 or above
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Assist in the Assembly and Presentation of Visual Merchandising Displays
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Being Security Conscious in a Retail Environment
Recognise and Report Security Risks in a Retail Environment
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Display Stock to Promote Sales to Customers in a Retail Environment
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Handling Money in a Sales Situation
Handling Payments
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Handling Stock in a Retail Environment
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Help Customers to Choose Products in a Retail Environment
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Understanding how a Retail Business Maintains Health, Safety and Security on its Premises
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Understanding how Individuals and Teams Contribute to the Effectiveness of a Retail Business
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Keep Stock at Required Levels in a Retail Environment
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Keep the Non-Food Retail Environment Clean and Tidy
Keeping the Work Area Clean and Tidy in a Retail Environment
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Labelling Goods
Product Pricing and Labelling
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Load Orders for Despatch from a Retail Store to Customers
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Move Goods and Materials Manually in a Retail Environment
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Sort Donated Goods for Resale or Recycling in a Retail Environment
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Understanding the Control, Handling and Replenishment of Stock in a Retail Business
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Understanding the Retail Selling Process
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Working and Learning in a Retail Team
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Comply With Workplace Health and Safety Requirements in a Retail Environment
Working Safely in a Retail Environment
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Maintain Food Safety While Working with Food in a Retail Environment
Working with Food in a Retail Environment
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Wrap and Pack Goods for Customers in a Retail Environment
A maximum of 13 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
A maximum of 13 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Applying for a Job
Career Planning
Communication skills for work
Conduct at Work
Customer service skills
Digital Skills for Work
Exploring Entrepreneurship
Exploring and Presenting Enterprise Ideas
Health and Safety in the Workplace
Interview Skills
Introduction to Self-Employment
Making the Most of Work Placement
Negotiation Skills
Numeracy Skills for Work
Searching for a Job
Self-Management Skills for Work
Setting and Meeting Work-Related Targets
Skills for Creative Thinkers
Skills for Effective Participants
Skills for Independent Enquirers
Skills for Reflective Learners
Solving Work-Related Problems
Time Management
Working Safely
Working in a Team
Working with Colleagues
A maximum of 13 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Engage in Discussion
Engage in Discussion
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Listen and Respond
Listen and Respond
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Read for Information
Read for Information
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Read for Purpose and Meaning
Read for Purpose and Meaning
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Speak to Communicate
Speak to Communicate
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Write Accurately
Write with Accuracy
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Write to Communicate
Write to Communicate
A maximum of 13 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Making Calculations
Making Calculations
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Money, Time and Temperature
Money, Time and Temperature
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Numbers, Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Using Whole Numbers, Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Numerical Relationships, Algebra and Ratios
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using and Communicating Data
Using and Communicating Data
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using Probability
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using Size, Shape and Measures
Using Size, Shape and Space
What is the purpose of this qualification?
This qualification is suitable if you need an extended introductory level 1 course in retail. It is particularly appropriate for:
• Young people interested in a career in the retail sector who intend to access level 2 qualifications or a level 2 apprenticeship but need a fairly extensive learning programme at level 1 before they will be ready to access level 2
• Young people and adults, including those who have had a significant break from or disjointed experience of education, who wish to work in the retail sector but need a fairly extensive grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills over an extended period before applying for work.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification provides you with a wide range of introductory skills, as well as core knowledge, relevant to retail, alongside generic employability skills which are needed both in the retail sector and across other sectors. You must take the two mandatory units below:
• Understanding the business of retail
• Understanding customer service in the retail sector
Optional units include knowledge and skills relevant to different job roles in the sector (such as food safety, stock handling, handling money) alongside generic employability skills (such as time-management and solving work-related problems).
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate and Diploma. You should take the Diploma if you need an extended introduction to the sector including the opportunity to build up a range of skills and knowledge, explore a number of potential job roles and career pathways in the sector, and gain a set of more generic workplace skills. The Diploma will be suitable for you if you who would benefit from an extended period of time working at level 1, up to 2 years, before progressing to employment or to a level 2 qualification or apprenticeship.
Which sector does this qualification support?
You could progress to an entry-level role in retail such as retail assistant, stock inventory assistant, or customer adviser.
What are the progression options?
You can progress to a Level 2 certificate or diploma in retail, including Gateway Qualifications’ Level 2 Certificate and Diploma in Skills for Retail. The progression to level 2 qualifications can also include Customer Service as well as Retail depending on the preferred learner career pathway.
Progression & Entry Requirements
You do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. It is available to learners of any age.Funding information
Learning Aims Search
The Hub provides a Learning Aims Search which you can use to check the funding status of any qualification or unit.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Hub website
We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.
This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.
The following support materials will help you to deliver this qualification.
Offer our Qualifications
If you would like to teach our qualifications to your learners, submit an enquiry to discuss the best options.
Related Qualifications
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Diploma In Skills for Retail (Entry 3)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Award In Skills for Retail
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Certificate In Skills for Retail
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Diploma in Retail Skills
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Extended Certificate in Skills for Retail