Problems with this site?
Contact
Webmaster
|
Customer
Service and Sales
TSSB-Recognized Skill Standards May 23,
2007
Background
The
Customer Service and Sales skill
standards were developed nationally by
the Sales& Service Voluntary
Partnership in conjunction with the
National Skill Standards Board, with
more than 600 members from industry,
labor, education, government, and
community organizations.
The skill
standards are based on extensive work to
identify and validate the skills and
knowledge needed to succeed in sales and
service positions in retail, wholesale,
personal services, real estate, and
beyond. Hundreds of first line workers,
managers, and experts participated
directly in the development of the skill
standards.
Importance
to Texas
The purpose
for the recognition of these nationally
developed skill standards is to help
build a professional and competitive
workforce for the state’s retail
industry. Skill standards are available
for educators and trainers for the
development of skills-based training and
education.
Cochran,
Blair & Potts, a family owned
department store in Belton, TX,
contacted the TSSB in June, 2002, to
encourage the TSSB to recognize the
Customer Service and Sales skill
standards on behalf of the retail
industry in Texas. The TSSB was also
contacted by a representative of J.C.
Penney Company, Inc., who served as the
chair person of the Sales & Service
Voluntary Partnership.
As of 2002,
employment of retail salespersons in
Texas was estimated at 327,000, not
including related occupations such as
cashiers and other sales-related
workers. Projections estimate that
employment will increase to over 375,000
by 2012, according to Texas labor market
information presented by the Texas
Workforce Commission. The increase
between 2002 and 2012 represents a 15%
increase in employment and reflects the
strength of the retail industry in the
state’s economy. On average,
statewide employment in all occupations
is projected to grow by 21% between 2004
and 2014.
Data
suggests that employment growth
associated with retail occupations is
helping to keep the overall average
robust. The retail industry’s
continued growth depends on a
professional and well-trained workforce.
These skill standards serve as a basis
on which workers can increase their
employment options in Texas and in other
states, and on which industry can train
a strong and competent workforce that
will help support and fuel the
industry’s growth
potential.
TSSB
Recognition
The TSSB
recognized the skill standards at its
July, 2002 meeting. At its May, 2007
meeting the TSSB extended the skill
standards’ recognition for another
five years based on a request from the
National Retail Federation Foundation
(NRFF). The NRFF now maintains and
promotes the skill standards to the
retail industry at the national
level.
|
|
