Big retailers offering classes for college credit
The retail industry is well-known for its ability to offer jobs of many kinds to a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds, of diverse age groups, and with diverse levels of education. It is exciting that getting into retail mostly only requires a strong work ethic, the ability and willingness to learn, and some customer service skills. With that being said, it is also understandable that many people involved in the retail industry are interested in learning, moving up, and growing as individuals.
A recent story examined by CNN shows how retail giants including – Wal-Mart, McDonald’s, and Starbucks – are offering their employees the opportunity to earn college credit by taking courses that relate to the retail industry and its various positions, duties, and goals. There are classes on management, inventory handling, ethics, and much more. Beyond the benefits of learning the necessary skills to improve as an employee and potential reach higher-level positions, these classes can help individuals meet educational objectives elsewhere in life. CNN Money explains:
“Other colleges also recognize the Starbucks training for academic credit through the American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service, an organization that reviews and puts its stamp of approval on workplace courses. It’s up to colleges and universities whether to accept the credits, but Mary Beth Lakin, director of ACE’s college and university partnerships, says 2,000 institutions did so last year.”
It is very exciting to see successful retail businesses putting in the effort to support their employees and develop strong strategies for the training and vetting of workers to climb the “corporate ladder” and experience new levels of success and responsibility. Although this may not be a possibility for retailers at every level, it does show how a successful business needs to regard its employees with the highest respect and care.