Legal Brief
The Retail Diploma
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Diplomas are part of one of the largest shake ups in education since the introduction of GCSEs and A Levels.
They will provide a unique opportunity to broaden existing provision for 14-19 education with a specific focus on vocational education. There are plans to have 17 new Diplomas in place by 2011, each will combine work-specific skills and practical workplace experience with academic knowledge of Skills for Life (literacy and numeracy) and ICT.
One example of these is the Diploma in Retail. Logistics forms a key element of this new Diploma and Rob Swindells, Group Marketing Director for the Langdon Group talks about why he became involved with the Diploma in Retail:
“Over 1 million people in the UK are employed in Supply Chain Logistics mainly as truck drivers, warehousemen, administrators and managers and yet this vital process has never been subject to much interest from the world of Academia – with a few notable exceptions who run some excellent degree courses in this field.
“It is appropriate that logistics is included as part of the new Retail Diploma because quite simply without an efficient supply chain operating behind the “front of house”, retail businesses will fail. If evidence were needed for that statement it appeared during the year 2000 fuel protests when retail shelves emptied rapidly – particularly in my specialised sector of short life chilled foods where supply chains are extremely short (in time).
“I became involved because I knew our industry needed a course offering practical education in the complex world of retail and logistics leading to a qualification which would become recognised throughout the industry. I thought that the creation of this diploma would help raise awareness amongst young people about the career opportunities available in what has previously been an unfashionable career option (I refer to the logistics sector specifically) .
“After over 30 years in management in this area, I know that logistics is endlessly fascinating as it operates within a sort of three dimensional game challenge, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. When it comes to aspiring operational managers in logistics we are looking for the sort of problem solving skills that arise from lateral thinking and anyone keen on games of strategy is likely to do well in this field, where service providers create complex links between manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and of course retailers.
“I was very pleased to be able to contribute to the course content and I am delighted that this innovative educational programme is being integrated with traditional skills training including Maths and English skills. The course structure is designed around three achievement levels which will give employers a clear understanding of the skill levels achieved.
“Hopefully this diploma will become the “Gold Standard” qualification in the speciality of retail and logistics and I hope that students will understand what a rewarding career this could lead to.”
They will provide a unique opportunity to broaden existing provision for 14-19 education with a specific focus on vocational education. There are plans to have 17 new Diplomas in place by 2011, each will combine work-specific skills and practical workplace experience with academic knowledge of Skills for Life (literacy and numeracy) and ICT.
One example of these is the Diploma in Retail. Logistics forms a key element of this new Diploma and Rob Swindells, Group Marketing Director for the Langdon Group talks about why he became involved with the Diploma in Retail:
“Over 1 million people in the UK are employed in Supply Chain Logistics mainly as truck drivers, warehousemen, administrators and managers and yet this vital process has never been subject to much interest from the world of Academia – with a few notable exceptions who run some excellent degree courses in this field.
“It is appropriate that logistics is included as part of the new Retail Diploma because quite simply without an efficient supply chain operating behind the “front of house”, retail businesses will fail. If evidence were needed for that statement it appeared during the year 2000 fuel protests when retail shelves emptied rapidly – particularly in my specialised sector of short life chilled foods where supply chains are extremely short (in time).
“I became involved because I knew our industry needed a course offering practical education in the complex world of retail and logistics leading to a qualification which would become recognised throughout the industry. I thought that the creation of this diploma would help raise awareness amongst young people about the career opportunities available in what has previously been an unfashionable career option (I refer to the logistics sector specifically) .
“After over 30 years in management in this area, I know that logistics is endlessly fascinating as it operates within a sort of three dimensional game challenge, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. When it comes to aspiring operational managers in logistics we are looking for the sort of problem solving skills that arise from lateral thinking and anyone keen on games of strategy is likely to do well in this field, where service providers create complex links between manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and of course retailers.
“I was very pleased to be able to contribute to the course content and I am delighted that this innovative educational programme is being integrated with traditional skills training including Maths and English skills. The course structure is designed around three achievement levels which will give employers a clear understanding of the skill levels achieved.
“Hopefully this diploma will become the “Gold Standard” qualification in the speciality of retail and logistics and I hope that students will understand what a rewarding career this could lead to.”
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