WASHINGTON – The NRF Foundation and the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants announced today that the Foundation’s suite of RISE Up training and credentials has been approved by the Ohio Department of Education for use in high schools and career-and-technical education centers throughout the state.
“We are proud to have our credentials recognized by the state of Ohio to help more job seekers master the skills needed to secure meaningful positions in retail and advance into promising careers."
“We are proud to have our credentials recognized by the state of Ohio to help more job seekers master the skills needed to secure meaningful positions in retail and advance into promising careers,” NRF Foundation President Ellen Davis said. “The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants is a leader in workforce development and a valuable partner and supporter as we make RISE Up training available across the United States and in high-potential and high-performing labor markets like Ohio.”
“Ohio is a retail hub with ample opportunities for career enrichment and advancement in the retail industry,” OCRM President and CEO Gordon M. Gough said. “We’re honored to work with the NRF Foundation in making its RISE Up training and credentials accessible to job seekers and students across the state, which will lead to more retail job openings filled by highly qualified candidates.”
The application for funding from the state of Ohio submitted by the NRF Foundation and OCRM was supported by nearly a dozen retailers including Brooks Brothers, BJ’s Wholesale Club, The Home Depot, Macy’s Inc., The Container Store, Tractor Supply Company, The Wendy’s Company and Williams-Sonoma Inc.
Approval from the Department of Education allows schools and career-and-technical education centers to use state funding to put students through training and mastery exams for RISE Up’s Retail Industry Fundamentals, Customer Service and Sales and Advanced Customer Service and Sales credentials. More than 25 school districts are expected to deploy RISE Up training in classrooms next school year.
The Foundation launched RISE Up in 2017 and is working with retail, nonprofit and public education partners nationwide to help people regardless of education, background, economic means or age acquire the skills they need to secure jobs in retail and advance into promising careers. Since its launch, more than 50,000 participants have completed RISE Up training and credentials.
The Foundation designed the training in collaboration with dozens of retailers, nonprofits and foundations, ensuring that the skills and training it provides meet industry needs, and that the materials created are user-friendly for nonprofits and education groups. The training can be delivered in the classroom or online to people of all backgrounds, ages and education levels. Click here to learn more about RISE Up.
About the NRF Foundation
The NRF Foundation shapes retail’s future by building awareness of the industry through statistics and stories; developing talent through education, experiences and scholarships; and fostering career growth among people who work in retail. The NRF Foundation is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the National Retail Federation and is funded in part by generous donations from retail industry supporters. NRF.com/Foundation.
About the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants
Founded in 1922, the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants is Ohio's oldest and largest advocate for the retail industry, representing more than 7,000 retailers across the state. Ohio's retail industry accounts for 18 percent of Ohio's total GDP and supports 1.5 million jobs, one in four of all Ohio jobs, more than any other industry.