DimensionePsiche

The project Improve - Innovative measures to provide access to retail training is addressed to managers/owners of SMEs, workers in companies and representatives of employers group. The introduction of new players and the number of takeovers and mergers in the retail sector has led to increasing pressure on local businesses. Independent retailers are suddenly finding that the retailing environment is changing faster than ever before. They do not have the head office backup of the large companies or the training opportunities that large retailers provide their store managers. This project will develop training to ensure that retail owner/managers take a strategic approach to their business. In order to remain competitive it is no longer possible to be a shopkeeper. It is necessary to improve and become a 'Master retailer'! The partners will jointly develop a retail business development programme covering current best practice in retail management techniques. This will be piloted with 45 retail businesses throughout the EU. The training will meet UK NVQ level three standards. It will cover business planning, retail marketing, financial management, retail statistics, computing systems and staff development.Impact The training will change the mindset of independent retailers, who have traditionally been excluded from achieving work-related qualifications, thus enabling them to take control of their future business direction.

Coordinator:

• WRTC Wholesale & Retail Training Council (UK)

Partners:

• Tecnopras s.a.s. (Italy)
• Fiatest Centru Educational (Romania)
• Universidade Catolica Portuguesa CRB (Portugal)
• Cesa Experts (Spain)
• Pro-Orava (Slovakia)

Duration of the project: 1999-2001

Financed by the European Commission, DG Education & Culture, Leonardo da Vinci Programme

Project page in the European LdV database

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