I began my retail career on a management training programme, working my way up from the shopfloor.

That training cut months off my retail learning curve and it equipped me with the essential knowledge to make me more effective. From September 2010, the Diploma in Retail Business will give a similar headstart to any youngster in England. In short, it is the qualification retail has been waiting for.

The first National Curriculum qualification in retailing, it has been designed with the input of leading retailers to attract the right people and employ them more effectively, benefiting employers and employees alike.

At present, employers have no guarantee that people entering retail are doing so because they actively wish to progress in our sector. Achieving the Diploma in Retail Business shows they are committed and retailers are sure to want to employ them.The qualification, supported by Skillsmart Retail, will give young people a thorough grounding in every aspect of retail and a set of skills and knowledge that will enable them to make a difference from the day they start work.

A work experience element will foster people skills and experience of interacting with people in a retail environment, meaning greater social maturity.

Students will also achieve set standards in English, maths and IT – the key skills we look for in new recruits. Crucially, the qualification will provide a boost to the public image of retail, showing young people that retailing comprises a whole range of careers from buying, selling and logistics to finance, fashion and management.

By taking the Diploma in Retail Business, they will open themselves up to an array of challenging possible careers. I believe that this will help meet our sector’s pressing need to attract higher calibre recruits and help make retail a career of choice in order to reduce recruitment and training costs and increase staff retention.

Other retailers can join me in helping to realise the diploma’s potential by taking part in the local consortia of schools and retailers being formed to enable the qualification to be phased into schools from 2010. You could offer work experience placements for students, mentor individuals, give talks and provide information on retail in schools.

House of Fraser stores aim to play a significant role within consortia across the country and I urge you to do the same.

By taking part, we will be able to spot and nurture talented future employees, show social awareness within our communities and help ensure retail gets its biggest ever boost from this landmark qualification.

To take part, contact Fiona Stubbs at Skillsmart Retail on fiona.stubbs@skillsmartretail.com, 07795 962444, or visit Diplomainretailbusiness.com.

John King,Chief executive, House of Fraser