The Heathrow Retail Academy has been awarded the Training Quality Standard in recognition of the high value teaching, training and development that it provides on behalf of retail employers at Heathrow.
The Training Quality Standard was created by the Learning and Skills Council in 2007 to develop a new higher standard for the certification of training providers. Since its establishment it has received 540 applications for accreditations, but its rigorous approach means the Heathrow Retail Academy is one of only 181 to have been approved.
The Heathrow Retail Academy was established in 2004 as a resource for local people hoping to begin their career or get back into work, as well as retailers looking for the best way to train their existing workforce. With the Department of Education cutting £60 million from vocational qualifications this year, as well as reduced number of university places available, the need for excellent vocational training has never been so important.
Heathrow’s continued development since 2004, which includes the opening of Terminal 5 in 2008 and the refurbishment of Terminal 4 this year, has increased the demand for high caliber retail staff, and employer surveys now report that the Heathrow Retail Academy has been successful in meeting their organisational needs. It supports its partners to increase customer service standards, whilst enabling more local people to access sustainable employment at Heathrow.
Gavin Wood, Head of Operations at Dixons Travel, said: “Working with Heathrow Retail Academy has brought many benefits to our business. The qualifications on offer are closely aligned to our people strategy and complement our own internal training provision. Working in collaboration with the Retail Academy allows us to offer formalised and recognised qualifications to our employees, which positively impacts motivation and engagement. The accreditation of the Training Quality Standard that the Retail Academy has achieved confirms the high quality training and impact it is offering us as an employer at Heathrow.”
Brian Woodhead, BAA Retail Concessions Director: “This is a great milestone for the Heathrow Retail Academy at a time when employers are placing greater value on vocational skills.
“The Heathrow Retail Academy ensures that a retail job becomes a sustainable career with progression opportunities. Motivated staff who feel valued are more likely to provide our passengers with better customer service and the offer of career development is central to staff retention.”
The accredited qualifications offered by the Heathrow Retail Academy include Skills for Life, Apprenticeships, Advanced Apprenticeships, NVQs and a Foundation Degree in Retail Operations and People Management. The Heathrow Retail Academy is also tackling unemployment in its neighbouring communities through the ‘Routes to Work’ programme. This gives business partners the opportunity to support the Heathrow local labour strategy and access pre-screened, work-ready applicants.
More than 650 students have so far gained a qualification at the Heathrow Retail Academy and Routes to Work has placed over 2,500 staff at the airport’s retail units.
