Q. Do you know how to turn a weekend job into an exciting career? A. READ ON! Do you have a part-time job as a shop assistant? Do you know that you can get credit towards your HSC for this kind of work? A career in retail isn't just about stacking shelves and operating a cash register. You can specialise in management, customer relations, marketing, visual merchandising, trading and retail buying, human resource management, information technology and administration.

The new pathway towards a rewarding career in retail management can begin with your part time job.

You can choose to study retail operations at TAFE as part of your HSC by enrolling in the Certificate II in Retail Operations. A major part of this course is a compulsory practical work experience component. This means that you can turn your casual job into a strategic move towards getting your HSC and moving up the retail ladder.

Even if you aren't working in retail at the moment, you can still take this course as part of your HSC or as the beginning of a new study and work path.

There are some essential requirements for a career in retail - here is a quick checklist.
- Do you enjoy working with people?
- Do you enjoy thinking and speaking spontaneously?
- Do you enjoy taking responsibility?
- Do you think you are good at both working independently and taking directions?

A major part of retail operations is the development and use of new information technologies. If you enjoy computers and the other aspects of retail operations, consider combining IT and retail training.

Find out more about these retail career options:
Sales assistant
Sales representative
Retail manager
Retail buyer
Visual merchandiser.

Get information and advice about wages and conditions from the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association of NSW.

You can research NSW awards on the NSW Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) website
or you can contact the NSW DIR Award Enquiry Service or your local NSW DIR office.

WageNet gives you information about Federal awards. You can ask for help by filling in an online enquiry form or you can contact the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) WageLine.

If you choose to take the Vocational Education and Training (VET) part time school-based traineeship option as part of your HSC, you'll need to check out the facts about the Certificate II in Retail Operations.

TAFE NSW offers a range of courses in Retail and Logistics and International Trade.

If you're not at school and you want to combine workplace training and study, consider a New Apprenticeship in retail.

Wholesale, Retail and Personal Services Industry Training Council
Suite 2E 9 Burwood Road
Burwood NSW 2134
T (02) 9745 3122
F (02) 9745 3010
E nswrwitc@ozonline.com.au
www.nswwraps.com.au

Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association of NSW
Level 4, 8 Quay Street
Haymarket
NSW 2000
T (02) 9281 7022
F (02) 9281 7050
E secretary@sdansw.asn.au
www.sdansw.asn.au/

Retail Traders Association
20 York Street
Sydney NSW 2000
T (02) 9290 3766
F (02) 9262 1464
www.ara.com.au/