First-ever certification program for jewellery retailers introduced by Retail Council of Canada and the Canadian Jewellers Association

TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2016 /CNW/ - Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and the Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA) announce the first-ever retail certification program for jewellery store managers and personnel - the Certified Jewellery Retail Professional Program (CJRP). 

CJRP is the first-of-its-kind program that covers matters of critical knowledge and skills that are unique to the jewellery retail profession in Canada. The self-directed online course will cover topics and skills ranging from protection and operations, law and legislation, succession planning and leadership, to sales and marketing.

"We're thrilled to empower jewellers with this specially designed program that will assist them and their staff in becoming successful retail professionals" said Diane J. Brisebois, President & CEO of Retail Council of Canada. Ms. Brisebois added. "Buying jewellery is one of the most emotional retail adventures and to be able to build on jewellers' innate passion with these additional skills will further ensure a great customer experience and business growth."

The certification will require that candidates complete a rigorous evaluation which includes passing an exam, successfully completing a performance interview by We Check, as well as having a full year of on-the-job experience in the jewellery industry.

"It was exciting to develop this program jointly with Retail Council of Canada and provide our members with a training program that has never existed before for jewellers",  said Stephen Cole, President, Spicer Cole Fine Jewellers and Board Member of the Canadian Jewellers Association. "We know other countries are also looking to create similar programs and we are proud to be the first to address the specific issues of jewellers' retail training needs," added Mr Cole.

The Canadian Jewellery Retail Professional (CJRP) program will be offered online through Retail Council of Canada's education division, Canadian Retail Institute. To find out more or to register, contact us at [email protected].

Retail is Canada's largest employer with 2.2 million Canadians working in our industry. The sector annually generates payroll of $60 billion and approximately $350 billion in sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline). Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members' represent more than two thirds of retail sales in the country. RCC is a not-for-profit industry-funded association and represents small, medium and large retail business in every community across the country. As the Voice of Canadian retailers we proudly represent more than 45,000 storefronts in all retail formats, including department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers and online merchants.

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SOURCE Retail Council of Canada

For further information: Branka Stavric, [email protected], 416-467-3772