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Fashion Retailer's New Qualification is Perfect Fit for Industry's Future

13 July 2012

A global fashion chain has teamed up with University of Derby Corporate to launch what's thought to be the first academically accredited course, tailor-made to nurture talent among UK retail staff.

Aurora Fashions

Aurora Fashions has 6,900 employees and more than 1,200 stores worldwide; and is the power behind quality women's fashion brands Coast, Oasis and Warehouse.

Together with University of Derby Corporate, the University's commercial arm, it is today, Friday 13 July launching an accredited higher education course for Aurora Fashion employees based in the UK and Ireland.

The Aspire2Accelerate training programme will enable Aurora to create a visible career path for frontline retail teams within its brands and across the group, and identify and nurture a skilled talent pool which can be deployed into critical retail management roles.

Developed by UDC, the accredited higher education programme will have three phases, targeted at retail career stages from sales advisor through to area manager. Completion of the first phase will lead to a University Certificate in Retail Management, with completion of all three phases leading to a full degree in Retail Management.

Learning will be based on staff's real work experience, backed up with online and direct teaching.

Following a two-month national application process for the first level of this fast-track programme, regional roll-out among the successful candidates will begin in London today. Up to 150 learners will participate in the year-long course to gain the first University Certificate in Retail Management.

In an industry renowned for high staff turnover Aurora Fashions hopes the scheme will help its brands continue to attract and retain the best talent in fashion retailing.

Paul Wilkinson, Head of Client Partnerships at University Derby Corporate, said: "We're delighted to have been able to partner with Aurora Fashions, enabling it to be the first fashion retailer to offer work-based learning to higher education level for existing employees.

"The new Certificate in Retail Management combines academic theory and work-based knowledge with vocational skill development, and is a great way to begin a university degree pathway."

Meg Lustman, Managing Director of Warehouse, added: "At a brand and a group level we're very proud of our heritage of investing in talent. We're fortunate enough to attract some of the best talent around but believe that, in order to keep and grow our staff, we need to offer people the opportunities afforded in other industries.

"Against a backdrop of youth unemployment and significant industry job losses, we hope Aspire2Accelerate will inspire existing staff, and those considering entering the industry, to be ambitious about a long-term career in the fast paced world of fashion retail."

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