Mobile phone and telecoms group Orange is to set up a 'retail academy' to transform sales staff into mobile phone scholars.
Orange UK director of retail Nick Moore said test academies had improved morale, reduced staff turnover and better equipped employees to deal with customers.
'This is something we might be able to roll out globally, since we have proved it works in the UK,' said Moore.
The France Telecom-owned retailer is recruiting a 'principal' to head the venture, which will either be based in the Southeast or have a roaming remit. The initiative builds on the success of the Learn campaign, which has turned staff into 'phone trainers.'
Last month, a second academy-style test in London had an intake of 1,400 students, who were schooled in the latest handset technology, games and customer service tools over three days. Pupils will attend regular knowledge top-up sessions in lieu of traditional computer-based training.
'Next year, the academy will meet four times and we are looking at it leading to some kind of accreditation,' said Moore. 'We haven't quite worked out the reward structure, but it will be some kind of end goal, like an NVQ or Orange qualification.'
Meanwhile, Orange's newest 'interactive' store-type in the Bullring is delivering the goods - sales are 35 per cent above target.
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