Building your career in retail requires certain training and skills. You may already have some of the needed skills depending on your life or experience.
Find out which Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses you can undertake and what financial support may be available to help pay for your course.
TAFE and training courses
The VET courses below will set you on the path to a career in retail. They can also help you learn new skills if you are already working in the industry.
Depending on your needs, you can choose from different course loads and levels, from short courses and skill sets to certificate and diploma qualifications.
Many courses also include practical placements to give you hands-on experience. Find out more about TAFE and training.
Explore these retail training courses on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):
- automotive sales(opens in a new window)
- customer service(opens in a new window)
- custom-made footwear(opens in a new window)
- fashion design and textiles(opens in a new window)
- fashion styling(opens in a new window)
- floristry(opens in a new window)
- interior design and decoration(opens in a new window)
- marketing, communications and social media(opens in a new window)
- optical dispensing(opens in a new window)
- pharmacy and community pharmacy(opens in a new window)
- retail and retail management(opens in a new window)
- travel and tourism(opens in a new window)
- visual merchandising(opens in a new window).
Apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships are available in many industries. They give you the opportunity to learn on the job in a real workplace while studying a VET course through a TAFE or training provider. You earn a wage, and you can be full time or part time.
You can start an apprenticeship or traineeship at any stage of your career, even when you’re still at secondary school. On completion you’ll gain a nationally recognised qualification.
To find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships visit:
- Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority(opens in a new window)
- Apprenticeships Victoria(opens in a new window)
- Australian Apprenticeships(opens in a new window)
- Headstart apprenticeships and traineeships(opens in a new window) (school based apprenticeships and traineeships)
- Do an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Personal and transferable skills
‘Transferable skills’ are skills that you can use in different jobs, roles and careers. You may already have them or will learn them as your career progresses.
Some personal and transferable skills you might find helpful for working in retail include:
- customer service and focus
- displaying and merchandising
- communication
- literacy and numeracy
- technical skills and knowledge
- budgeting and bookkeeping
- organisation and time management
- sales and perspective-taking
- visual thinking.
Financial support for training
Free TAFE(opens in a new window) provides free or low cost access to selected courses and pre-apprenticeship courses for in demand jobs in Victoria.
You may be eligible for Free TAFE or Skills First funding to help pay for your course or apprenticeship.
Visit our financial assistance for training and other expenses(opens in a new window) page for more information.
Get help finding the right course
Need help deciding on a training course, or planning your next career step?
Contact the TAFE and Training Line for information via phone or email about training courses, training providers and government-subsidised training.
Contact your local Skills and Jobs Centre(opens in a new window) for free qualified, independent advice and support on training, career planning and finding a job in your local area.
Resources to plan your next steps
Visit our retail industry profile to find out about:
- what it’s like to work in retail, and some of the jobs you could do
- training and skills to work in the industry, and financial assistance to help pay for your course
- help getting a job in retail, and industry job forecasts for Victoria
- other free resources and advice to plan your training and career.
Explore growing industries in your region
Training and careers in your region
Explore training, skills and job opportunities in your area of Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of job you could do, and what training you’ll need.
Training and careers in growing industries
Learn about high demand industries in Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of jobs you could do, and what training you’ll need.
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