Employability & Training

Employability & Training

Retail Academy Course

Our Retail Academy course is perfect for adult learners who want to develop their skills for a career in retail. Based at the renowned Trafford Centre, the Skills Shop offers a unique two-week retail training programme designed to boost your employability and customer service skills, whilst preparing you with the qualifications you need for a successful career in retail.

Areas Covered

Selling Techniques

Stock Control

Handling Guides

Retail, Law & Legislation

Employability Skills

Customer Services

As part of the programme, our tutors will help you to polish your CV and cover letter and encourage job applications to retail outlets within Trafford Centre.

It doesn’t end there! You will also have the opportunity to participate in a one-day work experience opportunity within a store at the centre to provide you with valuable work experience.

As a training provider powered by Trafford College and Stockport College, we help you to gain employment at the Trafford Centre and across Greater Manchester. Working alongside large retailers, restaurants and fast food outlets within the centre and surrounding areas, we will link you to employers with vacancies to support you into employment.

By offering a two-week retail programme, we will be providing you with the skills, knowledge and support required for moving into employment within the retail and hospitality industries.

Our specialist staff provide the following support whilst you are on programme with us:

  • Confidence building
  • CV & cover letter writing/amendments
  • Online application support
  • Interview skills – covering behaviours, skills & interview techniques
  • Mock interviews with honest feedback
  • A work placement with a reputable retailer


As an accredited course you will receive certificates in the following:

  • NCFE E3 Employability
  • City & Guilds E3 Customer Service
  • City & Guilds E3 Retail Skills
  • City & Guilds L1 Retail Knowledge

You didn’t read that wrong; you’ll be guaranteed an interview with onsite employers at the Trafford Centre on completion of our employability course. This two-week study programme could help you find the job you have been hoping for.

All interested candidates must be aged 19+ and actively claiming benefits or earning less than £17,500 per annum.

To find out more, book onto our next open day where a dedicated skills shop advisor will inform you of the course content, dates of the next course and latest job vacancies.

Got a Question?

Contact us using the form below.