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Partnership helps fill a void in the employment marketplace
A major challenge for retailers is not only finding employees with the right skill set, but finding staff committed to their roles.
CRS Australia has partnered with the Australian Retail Association (ARA) Retail Institute to help employers recruit and train committed job seekers.
The joint scheme, which falls under the ARA Retail Institute’s Retail Employment Pathways initiative, aims to create job opportunities for over 200 CRS Australia job seekers.
Job seekers may have been out of work for a long time due to their disability. In some cases they cannot work in the field they previously worked in and need to retrain for something new.
‘Many employers see this as a benefit,’ explains Garry Terrill, ARA Retail Institute Director. ‘Trainees may have had working life experience and understand the commitments of full-time employment but simply need a new skill set. ‘Participants already understand some of the principles of working within a business.’
CRS Australia works closely with retailers to understand their business needs and the demands of job roles. CRS Australia gives advice on wage subsidies, employer incentives, workplace modifications and funding sources to facilitate an employment placement if required. Support to managers and job seekers is also offered.
'Our partnership is helping to fill a void in the employment marketplace.'Garry Terrill, ARA Retail Institute Director
The ARA Retail Institute provides training and matches job seekers with host employers sourced from its networks. Job seekers undergo an eight week Certificate II in Retail Operations which combines classroom work with on-the-job training. This allows job seekers to show their host employer what they have to offer.
Mr Terrill says, ‘By the end of the program not only do employers have a job-ready candidate, but they also have someone who’s proven their commitment to professional development’.
The partnership is proving a great success; often employers find that the job seeker is such a good fit with their business they offer paid employment after the training program.