Jump Start -- by Tom Babin
Retail careers seem to come in two sizes: short and long. Short retail careers are the ones that a lot of people work part-time in high school, cashiers selling clothing at the mall, for example, then quit when something better comes along. Long retail careers are mostly managerial positions, buyers and store supervisors -- well-paying jobs, with lots of opportunity for advancement. The problem for many young people beginning a career in retail, however, is finding a way to jump from a short term job, one with little room for advancment, to a long one where they can build a career. Occasionally, however, retail companies take steps to address that problem by offering educational courses or tuiton reimbursment programs to help employees build the skills necessary for a career in retail.
Though most of the employers contacted for this article said they offered no career advancement programs, a few did, which means anyone serious about a career in retail should take that into account when job hunting.
"We have 34 basic courses each year, and we are adding about eight to 10 each year," said London Drugs administrative assistant Jenn Rodgerson. Those courses, Rodgerson said, cover topics as varied as leadership workshops and stress management courses. "We also have courses like first aid, CPR, computer classes, WHMIS training," she said. Though some of the courses offer general lifeskills improvement for all employees, some are geared towards managers looking to improve their skills to help advance in the company. Rodgerson said some of the courses teach advanced management skills like communication and counselling, and some offer successful selling tips -- skills that can be used in almost any job or career.
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"We have 34 basic courses each year, and we are adding about eight to 10 each year."
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Other companies pay the tuition costs of their workers who take courses or programs intended to help prepare their skills for a career with the company. Yvonne Klappe of Calgary's Forzani Group, who operates stores like Sport Chek and Forzani's, said if workers take courses teaching topics like retail management or leadership, they can apply to the company for reimbursement.
Most retailers say the best way to advance in the industry is still to work hard and show some ambition. If serious about a long-term career in retail, however, it might be useful to ask potential employers about career advancement or reimbursement programs during a job search. A company that does offer such programs is more likely to advance employees from within, rather than hire outside workers, so the opportunity to work up through the company ranks is greater. It also shows that their company is dedicated to their employees -- a quality to look for in any employer.
Another way to get a jump on a retail career is to check out the websites of major retailers. Many of them have career sections with job postings and career opportunities. Below are some examples, though there are many more on the Web:
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