ServiceIQ and Warehouse Group build retail career success

The official opening of a new multi-million dollar facility in Auckland on 20 March will result in many New Zealanders gaining valuable skills and qualifications.

The Warehouse Group’s brand new Sir Stephen Tindall Learning Centre in Auckland was the perfect place to celebrate both the Learning Centre partnership with ServiceIQ and the achievements of the first 29 staff from The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery to complete their New Zealand Certificates in Retail, joining the 232 Noel Leeming team members who have already completed their Certificates.

ServiceIQ Chief Executive Office Dean Minchington attended the opening and presented the group of graduates with their nationally recognised retail qualifications.

ServiceIQ works with many businesses to help grow the talent and skills of New Zealand’s service sectors to be among the best in the world. The Warehouse Group is a prime example of an iconic New Zealand company that places great importance on training to develop rewarding retail careers.

Mr Minchington says: "The Warehouse Group believes in training as a way of empowering people who have chosen an attractive and desirable career in retail. The company sets those people on a pathway that can literally take them to the top of New Zealand business. Through the partnership with ServiceIQ, and the Qual Linking of The Warehouse Group’s comprehensive in-house training, more than 10,000 The Warehouse Group team members have access to gaining nationally recognised retail qualifications. "

In 2014 alone, 4100 young New Zealanders gained skills and career inspiration on ServiceIQ’s Gateway schools programmes. 2000 of those were teenagers kick-starting a retail career on The Warehouse Red Shirts in Schools Gateway programme.

Currently, over 500 trainees are engaged in ServiceIQ entry level training programmes across The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery stores. There are hundreds more who are eligible for the next level of experienced team member training that launches in June. At Noel Leeming alone, 250 employees are upskilling with ServiceIQ programmes that include higher level management development training.

And now 30 team members from across the group have received scholarships and will be part of Massey University’s first intake for the new Bachelor in Retail and Business Management Degree.

ServiceIQ works in partnership with The Warehouse Group to help ensure that their employees are skilled and knowledgeable retail experts. Mr Minchington adds that "this in turn helps retailers like The Warehouse Group to increase their capability, achieve business success and develop sustainable careers for their people."