TRAC: training for retailing and commerce: a progress report on the Hunter retail and commercial careers program

TRAC is an innovative pilot programme designed to improve young people's transition from school to full-time employment in the retail, commercial and service industries. It aims to give young people a broad foundation by developing the personal qualities, knowledge and competences that are valued across these industries.Its initial piloting in Newcastle springs from retailing's emergence as the largest employer in the Hunter region. It is by far the largest labour market entry point for young people, and increasingly the restructuring of the economy is developing links between industries such as retailing, financial services and tourism. This results in the creation of a core of generic skills that have application across each industry sector, and in opportunities for new career pathways to be created. The number of students who indicate a preference for retail and service industry careers in the year before they leave school is far less than the number who actually obtain jobs in these industries after leaving school. Show less