WHAT ARE NVQs?

NVQs are work-orientated qualifications that are best suited to those who have current real work experience but they can also be achieved by someone undertaking a period of training through a work-experience placement. They are open to candidates of any age and of either gender. There are no entry barriers on grounds of race, creed or previous academic attainment, learning or experience. NVQs assess a candidate’s competence against national occupational standards. Retail Operations NVQs are based on the national occupational standards developed by the Distributive NTO, which is the government-approved national training organisation for the distributive sector including, distribution, warehousing, retail and wholesales. It is recognised that individuals and employers must be responsible for gaining the skills needed to meet ever-changing business objectives which will, in turn, lead to improvements in efficiency and effectiveness throughout organisations.

In order to obtain an NVQ a candidate must provide evidence that they consistently meet the qualification standards over time and across a range of circumstances to meet changing demands. Candidates are expected to have sufficient understanding to enable them carry out tasks competently.

WHO ARE THESE NVQs FOR?

Qualtech offers Retail Operations NVQs at two levels:

• Level 2 is appropriate for candidates who are already competent in basic skills but require recognition of a wider range of abilities within the retail sector. Candidates may wish to gain the qualification to demonstrate competence gained previously in the sector or associated industries or may wish to progress from a Level 1 NVQ in Distributive Operations and gain a Retail Operations NVQ at Level 2.
• Level 3 is aimed at those who are already competent in a significant range of varied activities and who require recognition for a wider range of abilities in these sectors. The candidate may occupy a senior operative, team leader or supervisory role, or they may be progressing from a Level 2 NVQ to Level 3.

THE BENEFITS

EMPLOYERS

Introducing NVQs can impact positively on your organisation through:

• improve staff performance
• increased skill levels
• more highly motivated staff
• improvements in the quality and service provided

CANDIDATES

By gaining an NVQ individuals are likely to benefit from:

• a clear understanding of responsibilities
• the development of new skills
• the recognition of existing skills
• opportunities to improve service
• improvements in working practices
  

QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORKS

RETAIL OPERATIONS LEVEL 2

To achieve a full NVQ at this level a candidate must successfully complete a total of 8 units. These comprise 3 mandatory units and 5 optional units. A maximum of 2 units from Optional Group 4 will count towards the NVQ.

Mandatory Units

• Contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace
• Contribute to keeping the workplace secure
• Work effectively in own organisation

Optional Units – Group 1: Stock Storage and Order Processing

• Receive goods and materials into storage
• Put goods and materials into storage
• Keep stock on sale at required levels
• Process orders for goods
• Process returned goods and materials
• Place orders to meet customer demand

Optional Units – Group 2: Preparing Goods for Sale

• Process donated goods for resale or recycling
• Prepare products for sale to customers
• Process bake off products for sale
• Process fish and shellfish for sale
• Process greengrocery products for sale
• Finish meat products by hand
• Generate images for official documentation
• Copy and modify photographic images using a digital print station

Optional Units – Group 3: Merchandising and Selling Goods

• Display stock to promote sales to customers
• Help customers to choose products
• Maximise product sales
• Provide information and advice to customers
• Demonstrate products to customers
• Process part exchange sales transactions
• Process payments for purchases
• Process payments and credit applications for purchases
• Control cash and credit transactions
• Assemble products in customer’s home/workplace
• Promote loyalty schemes to customers

Optional Units – Group 4: Customer Services

(A maximum of two units from this group can count towards the qualification.)

• Give customers a positive impression of yourself and your organisation
• Support customer service improvements
• Resolve customer service problems
• Process customer service information

Optional Units – Group 5: Hygiene and Goods Movement

• Maintain hygiene standards in handling and storing food products
• Operate specialised plant and machinery to performance requirements
• Lift, transfer and position loads
  

RETAIL OPERATIONS LEVEL 3

To achieve a full NVQ candidates must successfully complete a total of 8 units. This is made up of 2 mandatory units and six optional units. A maximum of two units from Optional Group 3 will count towards the NVQ.

Mandatory Units

• Contribute to a secure, safe and healthy working environment
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships

Optional Units – Group 1: Stock Management

• Organise the receipt and storage of goods
• Audit stock levels and stock inventories
• Source required goods and services

Optional Units - Group 2: Merchandising and Selling Goods

• Maintain the availability of goods for sale to customers
• Provide specialist support in helping customers to make purchases
• Provide expert advice and information to support the sale of photographic products and services
• Provide expert advice and information to meet specialist photographic processing requirements
• Enable customers to apply for credit and hire purchase facilities
• Evaluate the receipt of payments from customers

Optional Units – Group 3: Customer Services

(A maximum of 2 units from this group can count towards a full NVQ.)

• Organise, deliver and maintain reliable customer service
• Improve the customer relationship
• Work with others to improve customer service
• Monitor and solve customer service problems
• Promote continuous improvement

Optional Units – Group 4: Organisational Effectiveness

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of operations
• Plan, monitor and adjust staffing levels and schedules
• Contribute to the selection of personnel for activities
• Contribute to the development of teams and individuals
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with those for whom you have responsibility
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of service provided by external suppliers

Please feel free to contact our marketing department for further information.