Retail

The National Skills Academy for Retail is run by Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for retail. It operates through a network of one-stop, walk-in or virtual retail skills shops on high streets and in shopping centres across the UK.

Each retail skills shop is run by local stakeholders including retailers, developers, training providers, Jobcentre Plus. Together, they aim to support 165,000 people over the first five years.

There are 30 existing retail skills shops currently operating in key locations, including Manchester Arndale, Meadowhall in Sheffield, Touchwood Centre in Solihull, The Workstation in Derby, Cabot’s Circus in Bristol, Lakeside, Heathrow and Bluewater.

These will be joined by up to 40 new sites including Birmingham Bullring and Brent Cross in London.