newsXpress launches ‘Retail Training Academy’

newsXpress has launched the newsXpress Retail Training Academy. In partnership with Ganador Management Solutions (the Registered Training Organisation = RTO), newsXpress has created the industry’s first training program specifically designed around a newsagency marketing group and its principles.

“As a marketing group newsXpress has procured the services of a progressive RTO to develop and customise the training material to simultaneously meet government standards and meet specific, practical requirements of its members.” Opined Dr Dennis Price, CEO Ganador Management Solutions.

The training program is underpinned by government subsidies for eligible employees making it cost neutral for all small businesses to participate and at completion of the course the trainee will gain a nationally recognised Retail Certificate Level 3.

“Newsagents are undergoing tremendous change, one of the cornerstone strategies for dealing with change, is developing people and equipping them to add value at a higher level.” commented Graham Randall, Managing Director of newsXpress. “Whilst there are many training options out there, this particular approach is unique because it is specifically customised just like enterprise RTOs (Woolworths and other large retailers) but has been outsourced and separately funded by newsXpress to give small business (and their staff) access to the same opportunities as the big guns of retail. Additionally it is commercially relevant because of material customisation of the content, whilst meeting and exceeding the nationally accredited standards.”

This training program ensures the long term future of newsXpress staff members as they will have been trained on the newsXpress system. The benefits of the training will roll through the business from the staff member to the owner and the business itself.

The program is delivered as a ’blended solution’ which includes face-to-face workshops, in-store training and assessment and e-learning.

“The program is aimed at the staff employed in small businesses, often in rural areas, and lacking many opportunities for training and development.” said Ben Kay, newsXpress General Manager. “newsXpress feels it has a corporate social responsibility to support its members and their staff to access the right training that is relevant to the individual and the business. newsXpress is committed to this program and our staff are being trained to be able to formally facilitate the program”.

Employees working in newsXpress locations are already expressing interest in the new training on offer.