Almost everything we use every day comes from a retailer. As the coronavirus has upended our lives, it has created a new appreciation for the workers who ensure we all can get the basics we need.
Retail offers opportunities for people to do essential work every day. Now more than ever, it’s important for NRF and the NRF Foundation to provide educational programs and resources to help people of all backgrounds be successful on day one.
That’s why we’ve made our introductory online RISE Up course — Retail Industry Fundamentals — free for anyone who wants to take it. This training builds foundational skills needed to secure retail jobs in high demand right now.
Access the NRF Foundation's introductory RISE Up Retail Industry Fundamentals course online, at no charge.
Retail Industry Fundamentals is an industry-recognized credential that is self-paced and takes about five hours to complete on a computer or tablet using a web browser — no special software required. It covers basic customer service and math skills, along with best practices for job interviews.
Organizations also get free access to the introductory class, making it easy to offer the training virtually to a group of students or clients. Registering as a partner enables organizations (including retailers) to enroll individuals and download reports.
While some companies have made cuts to their workforce due to closures amid the coronavirus, retailers are looking to hire more than 1 million employees to help with the increased consumer demand. You can see and apply for available retail jobs nationwide on our new job board. People who complete the NRF Foundation’s RISE Up training build confidence and skills, and they are better prepared for these opportunities.
From high schools to workforce development centers and retail companies, our more than 800 RISE Up training partners are doing incredible work across the country to ensure their students keep learning in this new, remote environment.
Many of our training partners were in the middle of their courses and teaching in classrooms when social distancing measures were put in place. The Foundation worked quickly to help them transition to remote learning and switched them to our online curriculum.
During the pandemic, we have provided over 10,000 free online RISE Up trainings. And we’re just getting started.
There’s no question these circumstances are challenging. But retailers are providing an opportunity to do meaningful work in communities all across the country.
Questions about how to enroll yourself or a group in free and discounted RISE Up training? Contact NRF Foundation Vice President Adam Lukoskie at RISEUp@nrf.com.