UpSkill America is an employer-led movement to expand opportunity for America’s workers and allow our economy and communities to thrive. As part of our mission to advance the upskilling movement, we are pleased to share the following news featuring one of our partners.
The NRF Foundation announced today that it has brought together dozens of retailers and nonprofits to launch RISE Up (Retail Industry Skills & Education), a groundbreaking new training and credentialing initiative designed by the retail industry to help people — regardless of education, background, economic means or age — acquire the skills they need to secure jobs in retail and advance into promising careers. From in-store to digital and mobile commerce, RISE Up is designed to build competencies and pathways for the workforce of the future. To date, 21 companies have come together to pledge their support for building the next generation of the retail workforce, including Ashley Stewart, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Brooks Brothers, The Container Store, Disney Store, The Home Depot, HSNi, The Kroger Co., L.L.Bean, Lowe’s Companies Inc., Macy’s, Neiman Marcus Group, Pilot Flying J, Target, Tractor Supply Company, Under Armour, Vera Bradley, Walmart, The Wendy’s Company, White Castle and Williams-Sonoma Inc.
RISE Up begins with Retail Industry Fundamentals, a 15-module formal training program for entry-level retail associates in distribution centers, call centers or stores. It will give people a wide array of knowledge in areas like retail tools and technologies, customer service, retail math, inventory and interview skills. The training can be delivered in the classroom — or online — to people of all backgrounds, ages and education levels. Upon successful completion of an exam, these learners will not only walk away with a credential for their resumes, but also the skills and confidence to take the first step toward a successful career. RISE Up is available through nonprofit and public education partners and can also be used directly by retail companies to train and advance existing employees.
Over the past eighteen months, the NRF Foundation has worked with dozens of retailers, nonprofit partners and foundations to build Retail Industry Fundamentals, which ensures that the skills and training it provides meet industry needs, and that the materials created are user-friendly for nonprofit and education partners. Initial funding for the development of RISE Up was made possible by a capacity-building grant from the Walmart Foundation. Click here to learn more.
We are delighted with this announcement and commend NRF Foundation for joining a growing list of companies committed to advancing the upskilling movement.
Walmart and Walmart.org are supporters of UpSkill America, an initiative of the Economic Opportunities Program.
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