NZ Retail Institute to launch training programme

Posted September 22, 2010 | By Sonia Nair

The Retail Institute will use this year’s New Zealand Jewellery Fair as a platform to launch its landmark Retail Jewellery training programme.

The programme has been designed for anyone who has been working in a jewellery store for approximately a year and wants to build on their knowledge of the industry.

Trainees will undergo a structured, stringent six-month course that they complete on the job with the support of their manager.

Retail Institute marketing manager Emily Stevenson said the course was developed in response to a request from the Jewellery Association of New Zealand (JANZ). “JANZ requested we develop a training programme for jewellery retailers,” she explained.

She explained the course structure to Jeweller: “Much of the assessment requires verification – a process where a manager, supervisor or trainer signs off so that a trainee can consistently complete required tasks within the workplace.

“Once the assessment has been completed by the trainee, it is then sent into the Retail Institute for marking. Once completed, the trainee will receive a certificate of completion.”

By the end of the Retail Jewellery training programme, trainees should be able to explain the properties, characteristics and use of metals and gemstones. The programme is devised to boost shop staff’s confidence and assist them in introducing add-on sales to customers.

The programme will also help familiarise staff with repair and service procedures, security procedures, terms and conditions of warranties and guarantees, as well as teach them how to clean jewellery.

Stevenson said the training course draws on components of education in the Australian jewellery industry. “We have based our resource on the Australian retail jewellery training resource and Australian competency units. Therefore, someone could use this training material in Australia, however the assessment criteria would be slightly different.”

Retail Institute general manager Desleigh Jameson will present the seminar, which will outline how industry members can get involved, what the trainee will learn and what is required to complete the programme.

The seminar will take place on September 25 from 12.30pm to 1pm. Visitors can register for the new training programme for half price at the Retail Institute stand.