SBT2269 Careermag for Parents Issue 5 v2 FINAL | Page 43

SECTOR SPOTLIGHT - RETAIL INDUSTRY
More info
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For senior roles, also consider
business management courses,
while there may also be relevant
courses if they wish to specialise in
a certain area, such as automotive
sales. For example, there is a BTEC
for Vehicle Sales Competence.
Apprenticeships
Retail apprenticeships are
designed to provide specific skills
in a particular sector of retail, such
as beauty, or to define a clear
pathway to retail management.
Many of the apprenticeships have
been created in conjunction with
some of the biggest brands in retail
to create an industry standard,
but much smaller, independent
retailers may also offer the option
to follow an apprenticeship.
Retail Apprenticeships are offered
at the below levels:
Level Two (Intermediate) –
Equivalent to GCSEs /
Standard Grades
Level Three (Advanced) –
Equivalent to A Levels / Highers
Level Four / Five (Higher) –
Equivalent to Foundation
Degree / Advanced Highers
Level Six / Seven (Degree) -
Equivalent to Bachelors
Degree / Masters
Apprenticeships include:
• Retail team leader
• Buyer
• Visual merchandiser
• Style advisor
• Travel consultant
• Sales advisor
A Levels, Highers and
Bachelors Degrees
Useful A Levels / Scottish Highers
might include:
• Maths
• English
• Business Studies
• Law
A degree will provide an excellent
understanding of the industry and a
qualification that will be a significant
plus in securing a senior role sooner
rather than later. A good amount
of courses are available throughout
the country. To see what best suits
your child and which qualifications
(A Levels / Scottish Highers / Scottish
Advanced Highers / IB modules) are
required to earn a place, visit the
UCAS website.
Examples of the industry-specific
degrees available include retail
management, retail marketing,
business studies, finance, economics,
fashion buying and merchandising.
More info
British Retail Consortium –
brc.org.uk/about-brc
IMRG (The UK’s Online Retail
Association) –
www.imrg.org
BIRA (British Independent
Retailers Association) –
bira.co.uk
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