The Retail Manager Apprenticeship is delivered as a work-based route towards developing professionally competent retail managers.

The Apprenticeship includes:

• Learning within the workplace
• Development of new Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs)

Apprentices completing this programme will receive:

• Retail Management Apprenticeship
• Level 2 Functional Skills Maths/English (as required)

A retail manager is responsible for delivering sales targets and a positive experience to customers that will encourage repeat custom and loyalty to the brand/business.  It is a diverse role that includes leading and developing a team to achievement business objectives and work with a wide range of people, requiring excellent communication skills. Maximising income and minimising wastage are essential to the job and therefore individuals must develop a sound understanding of business and people management principles to support the achievement of the vision and objectives of the business. Retail managers champion the way for personal development, training and continuous improvement, encouraging their team to develop their own skills and abilities to enhance business performance and productivity.

The UCQ Retail Manager apprenticeship is designed for any individual working, or wishing to move, into a suitable role in retail, where the development of new Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours is required.

You will develop new knowledge, skills and behaviours in:

• Understanding the vision of the business
• Key drivers in customer journey
• Key drivers of a profitable business, including forecasting and financials
• Leadership styles used in retail businesses and effectively motivating teams
• Understanding setting and monitoring targets and how to lead achievement of teams
• Marketing, sales, trends, promotion and marketing requirements
• Effective communications at all levels of the business
• Products and services 
• Brand development and reputation
• Merchandising, features and link to merchandising plans and sales targets
• Stock management and monitoring
• Technological advancements
• Developing self and team
• Legal and governance
• Diversity and local demographics

The apprenticeship is delivered and assessed using a range of methods and activities using a hybrid model which can include live online sessions, assignments, projects, case studies, reports, work-product evidence, self-directed study, and interactive groupwork activities. The majority of activities and assessments will focus on the role of the Retail Manager and offer an immediate benefit to the organisation.

The apprenticeship at a glance

Duration: 12 months then end point assessment (based on employment of at least 30 hours per week).

Starts: Throughout the year.

Suitable for: Current, new and aspiring Retail Managers

Entry requirements: Working in an appropriate role, 16+.

“Off the job” element: All delivery sessions and workshops plus activities including, assignments, case studies, reflection, work-product evidence, tutorials, and group activities.

Support for students: Dedicated assessor for the duration of the programme.

Support for employers: UCQ account manager for the duration of programme with practical experience of business management and leadership

Eligibility: Individuals holding existing qualifications may join, providing they are not sector-related.

Assessment: There are no exams, successful completion of the apprenticeship is entirely based upon the following assessments:

• Knowledge – assignments
• Skills and Behaviours – Self-reflection, peer and line manager reviews, witness testimonies, assessor observations, work-product evidence
• End-point assessment

If you have any questions you can contact UCQ by emailing: apprentices@ucq.ac.uk