OfficeMax New Zealand supports Retail Institute in development of new Distribution Certification

The Retail Institute this year introduced a new series of qualifications in Distribution, with the assistance of OfficeMax New Zealand.

The distribution sector supports the retail industry – one of the largest industries in New Zealand. Through the development of a set of professional qualifications, the Retail Institute is now offering industry employers an opportunity to introduce formal qualifications into their business as a performance measure and lead the way in best practice development.

OfficeMax New Zealand has a strong working relationship with the Retail Institute, with employees encouraged to undertake National Certificates in Retail at levels 2 and 3. When developing Distribution qualifications, the Retail Institute sought the advice of the OfficeMax HR team and Distribution Centre staff at OfficeMax’s Auckland Distribution Centre. This Distribution Centre is deemed to be one of the most highly technical distribution centres in New Zealand, with a culture of innovation, learning and industry leadership.

The Retail Institute initially undertook an on-site feasibility study with Auckland-based OfficeMax managers Alan Elliott, NZ Distribution Centre Manager and Performance Development Coach Adam Sands, which led to an understanding of what the industry needed at entry and supervisory level, on which to build a programme.

Adam Sands said: “It was fantastic to have input into such an innovative programme in the Distribution industry. We were happy to grant the Retail Institute full access to our large distribution service, which is considered a highly technical centre and one of the country’s leading facilities.