Skills4Retail Alliance Meeting: Connecting Education and Retail Employers

Under the theme “Developing the Next Generation of Retail Talent: Connecting Education and Employers”, the meeting featured insights from Liena Adamsone of Riga State Technical School and Catarina Holstein, Learning Director at Jerónimo Martins, highlighting two complementary approaches to bridging the gap between education and employment.

Creating Opportunities Through Direct Employer Engagement

Liena Adamsone presented “A Date with an Employer”, an initiative organised by Riga State Technical School during Erasmus Days in October 2026.

The initiative connected third- and fourth-year students with companies to explore internships, employment opportunities and the skills employers are looking for.

Through presentations, student testimonials and informal 30-minute exchanges, participants gained valuable insights into professional expectations while establishing direct contacts with potential employers.

The initiative offered Alliance members an inspiring and replicable example of how education providers and businesses can collaborate to support young people’s transition into the workforce.

Developing the Next Generation of Retail Professionals

The meeting also featured the employer perspective, with Catarina Holstein presenting Jerónimo Martins’ approach to attracting, developing and retaining young talent.

From internships and management trainee programmes to mentoring and on-the-job learning, the company offers different pathways for young people to develop their careers.

A key takeaway was the importance of combining technical knowledge with behavioural and future-ready skills, including:

• Communication: Building effective professional relationships.
• Collaboration: Working successfully with colleagues and teams.
• Emotional intelligence: Understanding and responding to workplace situations.
• Critical thinking: Evaluating information and making informed decisions.

As artificial intelligence continues to transform the workplace, the ability to evaluate information, think independently and adapt to change is becoming increasingly important.

The discussion reinforced the need for closer cooperation between education and industry to ensure that young people are equipped not only with technical competencies but also with the confidence and adaptability required in today’s retail sector.

Why Join the Skills4Retail Alliance?

The 11th Alliance Meeting demonstrated the value of bringing together organisations that share a commitment to strengthening retail skills across Europe.

By joining the Skills4Retail Alliance, education providers, retailers, industry associations and other stakeholders can become part of a European network dedicated to exchanging knowledge and advancing skills development.

The Alliance offers opportunities to:

• Exchange good practices and learn from successful initiatives implemented by organisations across Europe.
• Connect with education and industry stakeholders to explore potential partnerships and work-based learning opportunities.
• Gain insights into emerging skills needs and innovative approaches to training and workforce development.
• Contribute to shaping the future of retail skills, supporting a more skilled, adaptable and competitive European retail sector.

Join the Conversation and Help Shape the Future of Retail

As the Skills4Retail Alliance continues to grow, it welcomes organisations interested in contributing their expertise, sharing experiences and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

Whether you represent a retail business, an education provider or an industry organisation, joining the Alliance is an opportunity to connect, learn and contribute to the future of retail skills in Europe.