Canada’s first retail skills training program launched today

Victoria, BC—Retail BC today launched Canada’s first comprehensive retail skills development program to train front-line retailers in British Columbia. Retail BC’s PEAK program was developed in partnership with Western Economic Diversification Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and with the support of MasterCard International.

"The new Government of Canada is proud to support a new training program that will improve retail skills development," said the Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. "Our investment will contribute to the growth of BC’s thriving retail sector and help create strong, viable communities. It will also better prepare the BC tourism industry ahead of the 2010 Olympic Games."

"Through the Small Business Roundtable, I have heard over and over how important skills training is to small businesses in British Columbia. It is critical to the growth and development of our economy and this government has made it one of our highest priorities with Budget 2006," said Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform. "This retail PEAK program will raise the bar for retail service delivery in British Columbia."

In consultation with BC’s retailers, the retail PEAK program was developed to help management and staff enhance retail ‘performance, empowerment, attitude and knowledge’ (PEAK). The program offers nine skills-training courses: three in customer service, three in sales and three focused on management and staff development.

"The PEAK program helps position retail as a first choice career option," said Mark Startup, president and CEO of Retail BC. "Retail staff will discover the knowledge they need to reach ‘PEAK’ performance in their jobs."

The training programs will be delivered by locally-based organizations throughout BC, including Advanced Corporate Training, JobWave, WCG International, BC Community Futures Development Corporations, Business Improvement Associations, Chambers of Commerce and other organizations interested in the delivery of quality retail training. Retail businesses need only to register on the retail PEAK website (www.retailpeak.com) to find courses available in their community or to invite a trainer in-house.

To date, the Squamish Chamber of Commerce as well as Lansdowne Centre Mall and Lougheed Town Centre have all signed on to deliver the PEAK program throughout the year. Communities such as these recognize the value of quality retail training.

"As a director of Retail BC, we are proud to have developed a training program that will meet the needs of retailers like myself" said Paul Dragan, owner and manager of Reckless Bike Stores. "There was a gap in retail training that the PEAK program can now fill."