Skills4Retail Alliance Gathers for Fourth Strategic Meeting

The Skills4Retail Alliance convened for its fourth meeting this month, marking our final gathering before the summer break. As always, the meeting brought together enthusiastic members committed to tackling the digital skills gap within the retail sector, and this time, with a renewed focus on outreach, inspiration, and impact.

A central theme of the discussion was the urgent need to engage both youth and current retail employees in the Skills4Retail training programme. As digitalisation reshapes retail, equipping the workforce with the right skills is not just beneficial — it’s essential. Members emphasised that young people must see retail as a career worth pursuing, while existing employees should feel empowered to future-proof their careers through upskilling.

We’re pleased to welcome Rubicon Retail Malta as the latest organisation to join the Skills4Retail Pledge Alliance! Their official profile can be viewed here . Their commitment reinforces the growing momentum behind our mission to build a more digitally skilled and resilient retail workforce.

A key part of the session focused on why members originally chose to join the Skills4Retail pledge. Reasons ranged from a desire to shape the future of retail to recognising the immediate need for structured training and support in the face of digital transformation.

When discussing the best methods to reach new members, members agreed that leveraging existing networks and personal contacts remains the most effective strategy. However, we must also be proactive in demonstrating the tangible value of joining the alliance.

Tonio Axisa stressed the importance of reframing perceptions of retail:
“We need to highlight to employees that retail is a desirable career choice — not something to be viewed as a second option. For employers, we must present Skills4Retail as a clear investment in their people and future success.”

The meeting closed on a personal note, with members sharing their own early experiences in retail. Many recalled being given just 20 hours of training before being fully immersed in the job. These stories serve as a powerful reminder of why structured, comprehensive training programmes like Skills4Retail are so vital.

As we pause for the summer break, we carry with us a renewed sense of purpose — and a growing alliance of dedicated partners. Thank you to all members for your continued commitment. Let’s keep up the momentum when we return in autumn.