Over 425,000 people are employed in retail in the south east, making the region the single largest contributor to the national retail workforce. Retail is highly influential in the region and has been identified by the South East Economic Development Agency (SEEDA) as a priority sector.

In terms of employee qualifications, however, the sector compares poorly with the economy as a whole. Fewer than 15 per cent of the retail workforce have NVQ Level 4 or above (degree level qualifications), compared with 30 per cent for the economy as a whole. Although around 17 per cent of retail employees hold NVQ Level 3, the most common qualification level is NVQ Level 2 or GCSE or equivalent.

Predictions from the 2006 Working Futures  study by the Institute of Employment Research (IER) suggest that the sector will require 298,000 new managers between 2004 and 2014. The sector therefore faces a substantial skills challenge.

Foundation Degree Forward, which is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England to help develop qualifications to meet skills shortages and business needs, is currently working with employers and institutions to develop foundation degrees in retail.

One of the first is the new Foundation Degree in Retail Enterprise offered by the University of Brighton’s School of Service Management and delivered at Sussex Downs College.

Conor Sheehan, the Sussex Learning Network’s curriculum development manager, acts as programme leader for University of Brighton foundation degrees in retail, hospitality, tourism and travel. He explains: “This Retail Enterprise degree is designed for students wishing to follow a career in retail, or who are already working in the business and wish to enhance their career opportunities.

He added: “The course can be studied in two modes to suit students’ background, work and domestic needs - either full time, or by blended delivery where most of the learning takes place within the workplace.”

Regardless of the study mode chosen there is a significant emphasis on work-based learning. To reflect this, the full-time programme involves an extended work placement within the sector.

The new degree will make a significant contribution to raising competence levels in the south east retail sector. Developing a wide range of practical, business and personal skills, it will equip students with a broad understanding of retail business operations and management. The course will include study of areas such as buying and supply chain logistics, branding, consumer psychology, marketing principles, people management and enterprise development.
Commenting on the new programme, Marcus Pescod, visual merchandiser with a major high street fashion retailer, said: “Seeing the depth of subject learning involved in the course made me realise how many more career choices it could open up for retail employees.
“It includes coverage of a wide range of subjects that would equip you to work in the field competently and in line with the knowledge and skills employers are currently seeking.  Employers’ demands are getting tougher all the time and a great deal more is expected of applicants now.

“It’s great to see the growing prominence of the retail sector in education, and courses like this will encourage more people to choose it as a professional career.”

Graduates of this course who wish to pursue further academic qualifications may have the opportunity to progress to an honours degree in a related subject.

Further information on the new course is available at www.brighton.ac.uk and www.sussexdowns.ac.uk or contact Diana Freestone at Sussex Downs College on 01273 478561.