As schools resume in September, their impact extends far beyond just classrooms. Everything from street traffic to retail sales sees a shift, and at WR, this time of year, we are focused on retail workforce training opportunities.
National partners, the NRF Foundation, have recently unveiled their updated certification curriculum for Supply Chain, Inventory, and Logistics. This update highlights the growing significance of these areas in the retail industry. Educators and retailers are encouraged to participate in daily webinars, available through September 12, to learn more about these new developments.
At the state level, WR is looking to recruit five retailers to join a one-year retail industry workgroup starting this October. This workgroup will play a pivotal role in shaping strategies for retail workforce training. Working closely with the State Board for Community & Technical Colleges, the group will prepare a report due to the Legislature in October 2025. The report will provide insights into educational opportunities for retail’s workforce and explore how education and training pathways can be developed to enhance career advancement for retail workers. Additionally, the workgroup will recommend four community colleges to implement pilot programs offering short-term retail credentials.
At the local level, WR is proud to partner with the Tumwater School District for the grand opening of the Tumwater Retail and Tourism Center on September 3rd. Rose Gundersen, WR’s VP of Operations and Retail Services, has been instrumental in facilitating strategic discussions between the school district and the NRF Foundation to offer RiseUp certifications and training for teachers.
We invite our members and partners to inquire about any of the opportunities mentioned above. For more information, please contact Rose Gundersen at [email protected].
