The Retail Management Certificate Holds a Key Link to Retention and Promotion

In an article published May 18, 2020 by Brandman University, Matt Venegas, the university’s Assistant Vice Chancellor of Community and Corporate Relations,  along with Bryan Kaltenbach, President of Krogers’ Food 4 Less/Foods Co Divisions, and Cherie Phipps, Education Director for the WAFC, shares insights for retaining rising company talent.

Key to retention is providing access for professional development and relevant certificates like the Retail Management Certificate.  Read the full article by clicking on this link.

El Centro offers ‘super’ Retail Management Certificate

El Centro College has partnered with the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) to provide a new Retail Management Certificate as part of this industry organization’s ongoing mission to provide quality education and career opportunities for their employees.

The White House recently lauded the Retail Management Certificate as part of President Barack Obama’s Upskill Initiative that focuses on realizing the full potential of America’s workforce by empowering Americans with the education and training needed to develop new skills and earn higher wages. The El Centro College certificate consists of nine separate classes ranging from “Principles of Management” to “Business Technology.” The academic credits received from these classes may be used toward eventually earning an associate or bachelor’s degree, if a student desires to continue learning beyond the certificate program.

“We are elated to bring this wonderful certificate program to El Centro College,” said Bryan Kaltenbach, WAFC president and chairman and president of Food4Less/Foods Co., a division of Kroger. “It’s important that we provide American workers with the skills and education to remain competitive in the world market. Dallas has long been a city that thrives on good management and entrepreneurial spirit, and we are honored to continue with that legacy.”

Beginning this fall, all of the retail management certificate classes will be available for both full-time and part-time students and will be offered in a 16-week or 8-week format, as well as a 5-week accelerated format during the summer. Courses will be taught both online and in traditional classroom formats. El Centro faculty have already agreed to teach some of these classes directly on-site of employers and other convenient locations.

Only two other colleges in Texas – Tyler Junior College and Tarrant County College – currently offer the WAFC certificate program. Nationwide, more than 15.6 million people currently work in the retail trade sector, including those employed by food and beverage stores, including supermarkets and membership warehouse clubs, gasoline stations and convenience stores, and other various subsectors of retail, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“We understand the busy schedule of these new students, who are already working their way up in the retail sector,” said Lea Davis, El Centro business administration and management faculty chair. “We want to provide an opportunity for these employees to enhance their skills and have a better chance at getting a promotion in their respective companies and throughout this industry.” Davis added that although the certificate program was initially created at the bequest of the food chain sector, the integrated curriculum is applicable to all aspects of management throughout the retail industry.

William Whitsett, a student from the state of Washington, recently completed the WAFC program and subsequently saw his salary almost double. “It’s an excellent educational program that has helped catapult me ahead in a successful retail career,” Whitsett said. “What you folks are doing at the WAFC is something special, and if continued, it will change the retail industry for the better, for many generations to come.”

Whitsett’s personal experience mirrors President Obama’s strong desire for businesses to help workers of all ages earn an opportunity at better, higher-paying jobs, even if they do not have a higher education.

The Western Association of Food Chains is the recognized leader in identifying and facilitating food industry-related educational programming that helps food industry associates become leaders within the industry. While not entirely constrained geographically, the focus for these efforts remains rooted in the 14 western states of the United States, including Texas.

The Business Administration and Management programs at El Centro College provide training in a wide range of business-related topics including accounting, marketing, economics, human resources, management, and technology, all combined to help students develop skills in teamwork and leadership, motivation, and communications.

WGU Announces New Scholarships as Part of Ongoing WAFC Partnership

Our partner’s at Western Governors University (WGU) recently announced a new scholarship opportunity for eligible Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) employees.

WGU will award five WGU Western Association of Food Chains Scholarships to employees of WAFC companies for any of its College of Business or College of Information Technology bachelor’s or master’s degree programs. The scholarships, each valued at up to $2,500 ($625 per six-month term renewable for up to four terms), will be applied toward WGU’s already-low tuition of $3,000 per term for most business and IT programs. Applications are currently being accepted at www.wgu.edu/WAFCscholarship.

Additionally, applicants who are WAFC Retail Management Certificate graduates can benefit from the partnership with a five percent tuition discount, as well as, generous transfer credits for their Retail Management Certificate credits.

“WGU’s partnership with WAFC centers on providing affordable and accessible degree programs and these scholarships will help open the door for more students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degree or further their career by adding a master’s degree,” said Dr. Eric Goodman, WGU’s National Director of College of Business.

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be newly enrolling students who have been officially admitted to the university and complete an interview with a scholarship counselor. Special consideration will be given to graduates of the WAFC Retail Management Certificate Program. This is a competitive process and scholarships will be awarded based on the student’s academic record, readiness for online study, and current competency, as well as other considerations. To learn more about WGU and the WGU WAFC scholarship, visit www.wgu.edu/WAFCscholarship.

Find out if your employer is a WAFC member

First Superior Markets Cohort Completes Retail Management Certificate

Superior Markets’ first cohort of Retail Management Certificate graduates, were honored earlier this month at an awards luncheon. The first cohort was comprised of 30 graduates.

superior1

Congratulations to all graduates and a special thanks to instructors, Sharon Fantroy and Mike Acheson, who shepherded this first cohort through the program.

Eastern Arizona College Launches 100% Online Program & Special Pricing for Arizona Students

Eastern Arizona College recently announced the launch of a 100% online, 8-course, 24-credit, accelerated Retail Management Certificate program. To celebrate the launch of the online program, Eastern Arizona College is now offering part-time students the opportunity to enroll in 6 units or less (2 classes) per semester for a flat rate of $190.  Students must be Arizona residents.

080514_RMC_EACflyer

  • EAC is the only college in the state to offer the new 8 course accelerated certificate completely online.
  • Part-time students pay $190 for 3 to 6 credits.
  • Using the 6-credit-per-semester model, students will pay only $760 in tuition for the entire certificate program.
  • Special tuition pricing is available for a limited amount of time and may be terminated at any time.

For more information, contact adviser Mike Fox, at (928) 428-8421 or by e-mail at michael.fox@eac.edu.

Download Flyer