RFT to support Skillnet Ireland in the implementation of specific tasks under the EU Skills4Retail project: Call for Green Skills Expertise

Tender description

The Skills4Retail project will focus on fast-tracking the ‘Triple Transition’ of Green, Digital and Resilience in the Retail sector, helping retailers to embrace ecommerce and ensuring their new business models are sustainable from the start. The project's goal is to design a new Retail Skills Strategy and Vocational Education and Training (VET) Programme that will address the urgent and emerging skills needs of retailers in the key areas of Digital, Green and Resilience. It will focus on training fresh new talent for the sector through training programmes in VET Schools and Higher Education Institutions, and the reskilling of the existing workforce via work based learning and short-term modular courses. Skillnet Ireland is seeking requests for tender from applicants with a demonstrated track record of supporting retail businesses in adapting to a low carbon economy and in adopting sustainable practices by identifying and addressing knowledge and skills gaps to improve sustainability within the retail sector. The successful bidder will have extensive experience of workforce development to support industry in embracing sustainable approaches aligned with a low carbon economy. This experience should span several aspects of the retail sector’s business operations and include thematic focuses such as energy and waste management, sustainable supply chain management, circular economy, and leadership development. Skillnet Ireland will contribute to the implementation of activities in Ireland, focussed on the development, testing and roll-out of Vocational Education and Training (VET) curricula and training programmes in line with latest market needs and with EU instruments and tools; continuous skills and career development that empowers technical professionalism in both green and digital competences; and the widespread dissemination and rollout of the VET training to maximise European impact. The successful applicant will play a major supporting role in Skillnet Ireland’s efforts to coordinate these activities, leveraging their experience of embedding green skills and sustainable business practices throughout the retail sector.