Retail and distribution

WHAT IS IT?

A vocational course (AVCE) that prepares you for a job in the retail industry. Whether you are interested in a career selling clothes, food or fluffy toys, this qualification – equivalent to one A-level – will give you the skills you need. You'll cover developments in the industry, quality assurance and customer care, and finance. Then you'll specialise in the areas that interest you most, such as human resources or marketing.

WHY DO IT?

Because you would like to work in retail or distribution.

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED?

Five GCSEs including maths and English – and good organisational skills.

HOW MUCH PRACTICAL WORK IS THERE?

Students are encouraged to take work placements in local stores. Plus, all your coursework will be practically based. For example, you might want to investigate customer care at your local Marks & Spencers, or study the finances of a large supermarket chain.

RATIO OF COURSEWORK TO EXAMS:

2:1.

IS IT HARD?

"It's more rigorous than GNVQ," says Jim Hitchin, principal examiner in retail and distributive services at Edexcel. "You have to be able to cope with the exams – many students of retail and distributive services find them challenging."

WHO TAKES IT?

An even number of boys and girls.

HOW COOL IS IT?

"Unfortunately it's not as cool as information technology," says Edexcel's Jim Hitchin. "You can make very good money in retail."

ADDED VALUE:

You'll see your Saturday job in a completely different light. Those long hours spent on the check-out at Tesco, or behind the till in Topshop, give you valuable insights that will help you get better marks.

WHAT SUBJECTS GO WITH IT?

Business AVCE.

WHAT DEGREES DOES IT LEAD TO?

There are a few university degree courses in retail management. Or you could go straight into the industry.

WILL IT SET YOU UP FOR A BRILLIANT CAREER?

Yes. A manager of a large supermarket can earn up to £50,000 a year. In middle management, you'll be earning as much as people in any other business. And the industry is growing, so there's no shortage of jobs.

WHAT DO THE STUDENTS SAY?

"I'd like to become a general store manager at Tesco, eventually," says Kelly Clarkson, 18, who is also studying for an AVCE in Business at Mid-Kent College. "I've particularly enjoyed studying visual merchandising, which includes how to set up displays to encourage customers to buy more."

WHICH AWARDING BODIES OFFER IT?

Edexcel and OCR.

HOW WIDELY AVAILABLE IS IT?

Not very. Business Studies AVCE is far more popular.

c.rudebeck@independent.co.uk