Retail sector is one of the fastest changing, growing and most competitive sectors in the European economy. As the fundamental link between the producer and the end consumer, the sector plays a direct role in price formation. The retail sector is basically based on qualified human resources. The FORCE Sectorial Survey on European Retail Trade results suggest that in spite of differences between nations and the diversity of geographical, economic, cultural, and institutional factors, retail sector in all member states of the European Community would be affected by five trends: aging of the population, more diversified and sophisticated consumer demands, increasing competition, internationalization, and greater use of information technologies. Main finding of the study was; “the need for raising qualifications and the priority given to quality of the labour force were being felt. Greater emphasis on training required new forms of organization.” In Turkey as stated in the reports of TEZKOOP-IS and also the associations in the retail sector, the main problem is under qualified human resources which also have a very huge turnover rate. The reason for the project can be then derived from the immediate need of the retail sector for qualified human resources with enhanced competencies at EU level.

The ultimate aim of “CVs in Retails” is to increase the quality of human resource by updating Vocational Qualifications (VQs), adapting training programmes and testing of certification methodologies from previously implemented projects at EU level to the retail sector. The project will contribute to the enhancement of the quality of VET systems. Hence in the long run, this will contribute to the “free movement” goal of EU as standardization will lead to mobility of workers and employability in EU participation in the European Labour Market.

The target group of the project is the following sub groups:

• Individuals who are seeking job suffer from lack of recognized system of certifying and validating their skills and knowledge that they acquired through formal, non-formal and informal training,
• Workers suffer from difficulties in staying in employment and increasing their chance for better job,
• New employees who are just entering the sector with or without formal certificates,
• Employees who are currently working in the sector with or without formal certification
• Enterprises that need to employ qualified and certified work force, and who are seeking for low turnover rate,
• Companies in the retail sector who suffer from unqualified workforce.

The project is divided into the following Work Packages (WPs):

WP 1: PROJECT COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT
The applicant (TEZKOOP-IS) conducts the overall management and communication among partners as well as different bodies and groups stand for the purpose of managing various aspects. TEZ-KOOP-IS is also the responsible body for the flow of continuous information and establishment of effective communication on project’s progress within the consortium throughout the project. The applicant as being the leader of WP 1 undertakes the financial management and reporting as well. 

Leading Organization: TEZKOOP-IS

WP 2: MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Monitoring and evaluation of the project activities will have an ongoing nature throughout project. Monitoring and evaluation of the program focuses on the effectiveness, efficiency and appropriateness of the activities. This process is conducted at two levels: internal and external. External evaluation is carried out under the coordination of TEZKOOP-IS. Internal evaluation of the project is the responsibility of VFA. VFA evaluates the progress of the project by developing, administering and analyzing tools.

Leading Organization: VFA

WP 3: ADAPTATION OF THE MVET MODEL FOR RETAIL SECTOR IN TURKEY
EDUSER is responsible for the adaptation of MVET model to CVs in Retail Project. In this context, one of the partners of the former project, EDUSER, leads this work package.

TEZKOOP-IS is responsible for organizing a workshop in which the details, the approaches, the methodologies to be transferred and the necessary adaptations to be made will be discussed and clarified. As a product of this work package an appropriate adaptation model is developed ensuring the quality and effectivity.

Leading Organization: EDUSER CONSULTANCY

WP 4: UPDATING THE VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND PROGRAMME AND ICT BASED MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT IN 4 SELECTED AREAS

In this work package, four qualifications of retail sector are updated by the coordination of TEZKOOP-IS. Developed qualifications are sent to stakeholders for revision. The finalized qualifications are translated into partners’ languages and submitted to the project’s website. The two prior qualifications are chosen by the consortium. Furthermore, the training programmes and interactive ICT based training materials are developed on the two selected vocational qualifications of retail sector.     
 
Leading Organization: TEZKOOP-IS

WP 5: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONTINUOUS TRAINING CENTER WITHIN TEZKOOP-IS

The aims of work package 5 covers not only ensuring the sustainability of the project but also carrying on similar vocational activities with the support of KARDER. Upon the completion of this work package a continuous Training Centre is established and furnished and an efficient cooperation with KARDER is constructed.   

Leading Organization: TEZKOOP-IS and KARDER

 

WP 6: TRAINING ACTIVITIES

The first activity in this work package is the selection of the trainers (8 Turkish and 4 Italian) and the trainees (50 from Turkey and 16 from Italy) by KARDER. After this process, trainers are trained by the WP leaders in Turkey and in Italy simultaneously. After the training of trainers, Turkish delegation including the partners and trainers go to a Study visit to Italy to see the theoretical and practical pilot trainee training in Italy. As well as that, the delegation visits their counterparts (trade union), vocational schools and other relevant stakeholders in Italy. This study tour is followed by the pilot trainings in Turkey on the 2 vocations. The 6th work package is finalized with the revision of the training programmes and materials just after the pilot trainings.
 
Leading Organization: Milli Egitim Bakanligi Gazi Mesleki Egitim Merkezi Müdürlügü and Centro Servizi

WP 7: ASSESSMENT (TESTING) AND CERTIFICATION

In this work package, independent experts from different backgrounds develop the assessment and certification procedure by taking into account the current testing and certification system in partner countries. The draft testing and certification procedure/model is presented to the partners by a workshop in Turkey.  After that, ICT based Test Instrument Bank with theoretical and practical tests is developed according to VQs for two areas by EDUSER. Moreover, the trainees that are trained, takes the tests (both practical and theoretical) and the successful ones are awarded with the certificates. Finally, all the testing and certification procedure is revised and package is finalized.

Leading Organization: EDUSER

WP 8: VALORISATION

Throughout the project, TEZKOOP-IS organizes the valorisation of the project with the contribution of other partners. Besides from the common activities like the website, brochures, posters, dissemination book and exploitation conferences, each partner is responsible to ensure the valorisation of the “CVs in Retail” project in their own countries on national level. 

• TezKoop- Is - Leading Organization