Town centre c hallenge: Building a thriving high street for the future

1. Town centre challenge: Building a thriving high street for the future 31 May 2012, Liverpool

2. Jane RexworthyDirector of Skills Solutions and Head of the National Skills Academy for Retail

3. Aims of today Introduce how we can help towns and cities build a more profitable and striving retail sector Emphasise the need for partnership working between stakeholders Launch our new Retail Apprenticeship Training Agency

4. Current challenges for locations Shop vacancy rates:14.6% (Feb 2012 local Data Company – new record high) Struggling independents Low skill levels in retail: 12% of retail employees have no qualifications and 18% of employees have below a Level 2 qualification (2011) High youth unemployment: UK 16-24 yr old unemployment rate is 22% Low image of retail as a career of choice: in a recent Skillsmart Retail survey of 1000 undergraduates, retail came 12th out of 21 work sectors that they would consider getting a career in

5. How we can help upskill your retailers Research: the importance of knowing your retailers’/towns’ strengths and weaknesses Training: regardless of experience, training can help retailers increase efficiency and profitability of their business Job creation: opening up the opportunities of retail to young people through Apprenticeships Encouraging start-ups: building a reputation of supporting new businesses through business mentoring (2009 – on average 6% (nearly 1500 businesses) of new retail businesses across the sector did not survive their first year)

6. An introduction to Independents’ Day

7. About the campaign Skillsmart Retail and its supporters are teaming up with local retailers up and down the country to celebrate Independents’ Day on 4th July. Independents’ Day flies the flag for local retailers: the ones who help to make our towns and cities so special. It encourages the public to buy at least one item from an independent retailer on the day and celebrate diversity on the high street.

8. Independents’ Day 2012 Why get involved? Shows your committed support for your independent sector Opportunity to promote the entrepreneurial independent businesses in your area Can increase the footfall of shoppers to your area Opportunity for coverage in media Association with a national campaign

9. Independents’ Day 2012 How you can get involved www.retailindieday.com

10. What does retail mean to local economies and communities Councillor Nick SmallCabinet Member for Enterprise and Skills, Liverpool City Council

11. Why ‘shopping centre’ doesn’t mean the decline of the town centre SARA CARTHY, HR & Administration Director 31 May 2012

12. HISTORY: KEY FACTS • Largest regeneration project of its kind in Europe • 100% privately funded: Grosvenor, Broadgate and other key stakeholders • Created 5000 New Jobs • Foot fall to Albert Dock has increased by 42% in the time that Liverpool ONE has been open Ariel shot of Liverpool prior to re-development Paradise Street

13. HOW LIVERPOOL ONE SUPPORTS THE LOCAL ECONOMY • Set Up Stages… • Outreach Events • Raising Awareness of Liverpool ONE • Inclusivity • Guaranteed Interviews in Partnership with Job Centre Plus • 50% of our Cleaning Team came from Long Term Unemployment • 20% of Customer Support Team came from Long Term Unemployment • Recruited Behaviours and Attitude and Trained for Skills

14. ONE COMMUNITY

15. ONE COMMUNITY • Liverpool ONE Foundation • Over £100,000 per year distributed to grassroots charities within Merseyside • Will reach £1 million endowment fund in 2012 • Team Engagement • To identify CSR themes (Young People, Employability, Education) • To chose Charity Partner (The Brunswick Youth & Community Centre) • Volunteering • With our Charity Partner • Fundraising CSR is an integral part of how we do things at Liverpool ONE…

16. ONE COMMUNITY • Employability & Enterprise Skills with Liverpool Compact • Mock interviews • Enterprise sessions – plan an event at Liverpool ONE • Collaborative Working • City Centre partners • Educational Resources • City Stars Liverpool City Council and local events • Environmental Initiatives • Biofuel • Energy Management strategy CSR is an integral part of how we do things at Liverpool ONE…

17. ACADEMY ONE Academy ONE Launch DVD

18. ACADEMY ONE “Our staff have been delighted that Debenhams is doing something for them and I have received nothing but positive feedback about Academy ONE’s training. The programme has helped those on the course to grow in confidence and to develop skills we have not seen previously – it is really highlighting their potential and creating a better workforce for the store.”

19. ACADEMY ONE

20. QUESTIONS

21. The Y Factor: Keeping young people in your area • John Browning, National Skills Academy for RetailDianne Wainwright, The Source

22. What are Apprenticeships? Work-based training programmes Designed around the needs of employers Leading to nationally recognised qualifications Can be used to train new and existing staff Effective way to attract and keep people in employment Massive economic benefits: over £100million annual benefit to the economy* Over the last five years, the number of Retail Apprenticeships completed has increased by 190% *Barker Tilly: Social Impact Evaluation using Social Return on Investment (Skillsmart Retail, Jan 2011)

23. The majority of Retail Apprenticeships are currently being done in large retailers.Why don’t independent retailers opt to offer Apprenticeships?

24. The new Retail Apprenticeship Training Agency helps solve these issues

25. What is The Retail Apprenticeship Training Agency? A simplified way independent retailers or locations can offer Apprenticeships Delivered by the National Skills Academy for Retail’s network of skills shops Designed to attract young people 16-18 to choose careers in retail The apprentice is recruited, trained and, employed by RATA. This reduces the risk, cost, time and administration to retail businesses Retailers provide a one-year, full-time job placement and give the apprentice the opportunity to experience first-hand, the skills needed to work in a retail environment

26. Retailer benefits • Helps develop business • Great way to recruit and mould young talent • Low cost • No hassle • Funding assistance

27. Young person benefits Earning while learning Good prospects (wage premium 23% Level 3, 17% Level 2) Apprenticeship qualification Transferable skills Make a difference

28. Town centre model Offered by local authority or town centre partnership Bring together retailers to offer job placements Apprentice may undertake multiple placements Scheme could be branded as the town’s own Apprenticeship scheme for school leavers Scheme could be subsidised to reduce the cost to the retailer

29. Town centre benefits • Supports retail sector • Promotes local economic development • Reduces youth unemployment • Develop skills in your area • Develop a pool of young talent • Develop the next generation of retailers • Develop a good reputation as a great place to work • Great PR Opportunities

30. Sheffield Showcase here?

31. How would you implement a town Apprenticeship scheme in your area?

32. Finding your town’s USPTracy DugganNational Account and Product ManagerNational Skills Academy for Retail

33. Working together – building relationships with your retailers Chair - Jane RexworthyCllr Nick Small, Liverpool City CouncilSara Carthy, HR and Administration Director, Liverpool ONEDianne Wainwright, Centre Manager, The Source