Gujarat to get retail institute

If the booming retail industry is cribbing about anything, it is the manpower crunch. This has resulted in opportunities opening up for training institutes, especially in Gujarat. The state is about to get its first training institute in retail by the end of the month.

Mumbai-based businessmen Ashish Doshi and Pranav Doshi will be setting up Academy of Retail Training (ART) in Ahmedabad by September-end.

"The institute will be spread over 5,000 sq ft of area and will focus on training aspiring youngsters in skill development required in retail outlets. By June 2008, we hope to set up at least eight such institutes across the country, including Mumbai, Vadodara and Pune by the end of the current fiscal," said Ashish Doshi, Director, ART.

ART will be offering 2-month certificate course on retailing which will be focussed on 10+2 pass-outs. With an intake of 120 students, ART will hold three classes every day spanning 50 hours of classes. The institute hopes for 70-80 per cent occupancy in the third month of operation, said Doshi.

Comparing the institute with the courses in retailing offered by b-schools, Doshi said, "Many b-schools charge enormous fees for these courses while the aspirants are basically looking for jobs in retail where they will be paid around Rs 5,000-6,000. ART, on the other hand, offers the course at a nominal fees of around Rs 5,000 and trains them in skills required to work in a retail outlet."

Apart from courses for young students, ART will be offering a one-day management programme for shopkeepers as well.

"The intention is to train unorganised retailers in the tricks of trade as well. For this, we have developed a module on shopkeepers," said Amit Vasavada, Chief Mentor at ART.