Center for the Future of Arizona Launches AZRetailCareers.com
New website is part of a CFA initiative supporting the retail sector with resources and tools for workers and employers to strengthen long-term career paths in retail
PHOENIX (April 15, 2020) – The Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) today announced the launch of AZRetailCareers.com to support workers and employers in Arizona’s important retail sector.
AZRetailCareers.com is Arizona’s only targeted retail sector-focused resource for information and tools for job seekers, frontline workers, retail employers and workforce development professionals.
“Retail represents 1 in 4 jobs in the United States,” said Sybil Francis, President & CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona. “In the Greater Phoenix area, retail is the third largest employment sector after Government and Healthcare employing more than 234,000[1] people and it continues to be a foundational pillar of Arizona’s economy. Today more than ever, the retail sector is visibly demonstrating its essential role in the lives of people in all communities - as retailers remain open, and on the frontlines - serving fellow Arizonans who are being hard hit amid the COVID-19 global pandemic.”
According to the Arizona Commerce Authority, retail jobs in the state’s largest MSA, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, had a 14.1[2] percent growth rate between 2010 and 2018. Arizona’s retail sector buoyed by a strong U.S. economy, showed continued strength during 2019 prior to being impacted by headwinds brought on by COVID-19 in the first quarter of this year.
As part of CFA’s mission to bring Arizonans together to build a bright future for the state, the organization’s work in the retail sector is part of a long-term approach to bring education and training together to strengthen Arizona’s talent pipeline for essential sectors like retail.
AZRetailCareers.com serves retail employers by providing industry best practices and skills training to help retailers implement or enhance programs to develop and retain their employees long-term. It also supports Arizona’s workforce development career navigators as they help job seekers find retail sector roles and opportunities.
Frontline retail workers can use AZRetailCareers.com to find the latest job opportunities from local retailers, along with skills training and educational opportunities to make it easier and faster for them to begin their career journey in retail, move up the career ladder with their current employer, and gain skills to equip them for lifelong careers in retail or other related industries.
The “Find Skills Gaps” button on the homepage is a key feature of the site, which activates the Core Score tool – a skills assessment – that provides a report on skill strengths or gaps, and if needed, access to free, online training to strengthen those skill gaps for workers.
What does AZRetailCareers.com do for Arizona?
- Builds awareness of retail careers for job seekers in a fluid employment environment
- Closes the information gap about retail careers
- Aims to change perceptions and stereotypes about retail careers
- Helps current retail workers move up the career ladder
- Provides a go-to platform for Arizona’s retail employers to find the latest research, best practices and resources to retain, develop and promote retail workers
- Supports Arizona’s workforce development career navigators to help job seekers find retail sector roles and opportunities
In addition to supporting the retail sector through AZRetailCareers.com, CFA will continue to partner with employers through its Retail Employer Network comprised of dozens of Arizona’s well-known retail employers as well as continue to promote training opportunities for employees through the NRF RISE Up training program offered by workforce development organizations and retailers in Arizona.
“A strong retail sector is a sign of a strong Arizona and the challenging times we are experiencing as a result of COVID-19 underscore why supporting our retail sector is important to our economic success,” said Michelle Ahlmer, Executive Director of the Arizona Retailers Association. “CFA’s thoughtful actions along with the resources and tools being made available to our retail community will play a crucial role in responding to the needs of the many workers that choose to begin or build their careers in retail.”
About the Center for the Future of Arizona
The Center for the Future of Arizona brings Arizonans together to build a bright future for our state. For more information, visit www.arizonafuture.org. @arizonafuture