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Expertise in workforce development grows from a deep knowledge of the needs, strengths, and challenges not only of jobseekers but of employers as well. At National Able Network, we cultivate a wealth of expertise on the employers of each sector we serve. I’d like to highlight just a bit of what we know about the sectors in which our employer partners work and grow. Let’s start with the largest employment sector in Chicago and in the country: retail.

The first thought of many when we consider a career in retail may focus on what we see and experience as customers – the sales floor of a store. What we might not think to consider is the fact that retail as an industry covers all parts of the businesses who work to accomplish a simple (and pretty universal) goal: connect a group of people to products that they need or want. That particular product might be a shirt, a pair of shoes, a basket of fresh produce, a television, or even a truck. The needs and structure of a business reflect the products it brings to a market of people, and being the person who introduces a shopper to brand-name running shoes, or even being the manager who leads a team of those salespeople, is only a small part of this varied industry.

This variety is one reason the retail industry is one of the largest employment sectors in the country. Just take a look at this graphic created by the National Retail Federation Foundation, which shows a wealth of career paths, all based on the job competencies you as a career-starter would like to pursue. The 15.7 million workers in the retail industry (more than 1 out of every 10 workers total)  work not only as cashiers and sales associates, but as marketing or human resources professionals, operations managers, purchasers and supply chain administrators, and even interior and visual merchandising designers.

At Able, we bridge gaps in the retail industry and help jobseekers to start these rewarding career paths through our Retail Career Lab program. Designed from the ground up based on the needs and input of actual retail employers, Retail Career Lab targets middle-skill, career-path preparedness to connect jobseekers to long-term success in the industry. Retail Career Lab is just one of the solutions we’ve designed to bring new innovation and effectiveness to the career search; if you’re interested in this or any of Able’s programs, call 855-994-8300 or click here to apply today!