Skills4Retail: Completion of the Reactive Training Programme & Launch of Emerging Courses

The Skills4Retail project, funded by the European Commission’s Erasmus+ Programme and Partnerships for Innovation, aims to equip the retail workforce with the skills needed to navigate the sector’s digital, green, and resilience transitions.

To meet urgent and emerging skill demands, the Skills4Retail team developed a Reactive Training Programme with targeted modules tailored for professionals in different retail roles.

As part of the Skills4Retail project, this initiative was created to address urgent skill gaps in the retail sector. These short-term trainings were designed to support existing retail employees by strengthening their competencies in key areas such as digital skills, sustainability, and resilience.

The Reactive Training Programme has successfully concluded, equipping 614 retail professionals from over 100 companies in Romania, Hungary, Ireland, and Austria with essential skills to navigate the evolving retail landscape. The programme materials are now available on the Skills4Retail website, making them accessible to anyone looking to enhance their retail skills.

Courses Covered in the Programme:

Developed in collaboration with industry and education partners, the programme covered six key courses designed to address the most relevant competencies in the retail sector:

• ECommerce Essentials

• Human Skills

• Digital Marketing Essentials

• Green Skills for Retail

• Resilient Retailing

• Digital Skills for Retail

Training Providers by Country:

• Romania: University of Bucharest, SSCNK (Economic College Nicolae Kretzulescu)

• Hungary: Szent György Hang- és Filmművészeti Technikum

• Ireland: 20FIFTY, Retail Ireland Skillnet

• Austria: WKO

The programme catered to a diverse range of retail professionals, from new employees in frontline positions such as cashiers and store managers to experienced specialists in Learning & Development, Operations, and Marketing.

All Reactive Training materials will be available online on the Skills4Retail website, making them accessible to anyone wishing to enhance their skills in the retail sector.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Building on the success of the Reactive Training Programme, the Skills4Retail project is now developing Emerging Courses to further support the retail workforce that will be launched in September. This effort includes a new VET Training Programme, set to be piloted across eight partner countries.

These upcoming programmes are designed to support emerging roles in the retail sector by integrating:

• Modular courses

• Work-based learning components

• A combination of technical, transversal, and personal development skills

The training pathways will be tailored to meet the diverse needs of participants and prepare them for various roles within the retail ecosystem. Depending on learner needs and preferences, the courses will be delivered in physical, virtual, or hybrid formats in 8 countries: Austria, Ireland, Romania, Hungary, Malta, Latvia, Czech Republic, and Portugal.

The new VET Training Programme will focus on three key target groups:

• New Entrants: Non-management employees (students) starting their careers in retail

• Retail Managers: Leaders navigating industry transformations

• L&D Function in Retail: Professionals responsible for workforce training and development

Stay tuned for more updates as we finalize and launch these cutting-edge training opportunities!