Build tomorrow's retail workforce with the Jobs-Skills Integrator for Retail Industry

Jobs-Skills Integrator for Retail Industry (JSIT-R) offers accessible reskilling, job redesign, and career development solutions to drive progress in retail.

While many retailers recognise the need to evolve amidst changing consumer expectations and intensified competition, they continue to face persistent challenges such as manpower shortages, difficulties attracting and retaining talent, and limited career progression pathways for employees.

Addressing these issues requires more than incremental change. Retailers must prioritise the development of a skilled, adaptable, and empowered workforce capable of navigating change and sustaining long-term growth.

The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), as the appointed programme partner for Jobs-Skills Integrator for Retail (JSIT-R), works closely with the 4 ecosystem partners, namely the NTUC LearningHub (NTUC Lhub), Singapore Fashion Council (SFC), Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC), and Singapore Retailers Association (SRA). Together, the ecosystem delivers end-to-end workforce transformation support to retail employers.

How JSIT-R supports workforce transformation

While many retailers recognise the need to evolve, day-to-day operational demands often hold them back. JSIT-R supports retailers with the structure and resources needed to overcome these challenges and build long-term capabilities.

JSIT-R helps retailers move forward by supporting workforce transformation through the following initiatives:

Job Redesign Advisory 
Provides employers with expert guidance to review existing roles, identify emerging skill requirements, and redesign jobs. 

Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programme (CCP)
Supports employers in reskilling employees through structured on-the-job training for redesigned, higher-value roles.

Structured Career Planning (SCP) workshop
Equips employers with practical frameworks to conduct meaningful and structured career conversations with employees.

Structured Career Conversations (SCC)
Facilitates consultant-guided discussions that help align employees’ career aspirations with organisational goals.

These initiatives provide strategic guidance and practical tools to help retailers enhance their productivity and build a more resilient workforce.

Real impact: Workforce transformation in action

Several retailers have successfully leveraged JSIT-R’s structured workforce transformation approach, demonstrating how these initiatives translate into real results.

FotoHub:

Among the retail businesses that have successfully enhanced workforce capabilities through JSIT-R is FotoHub. Following their participation in Job Redesign Advisory (Lite) Programme, they were provided with structured guidance to review existing roles, identify emerging skill requirements, and redesign jobs to strengthen both operational excellence and long-term workforce development.  

Building on this, through the CCP, 3 employees have successfully progressed into enhanced job roles, namely Assistant Supervisor, Operations Manager, and Retail Sales Manager, after undergoing reskilling and on-the-job training.

In addition, the SCP workshop and SCC have helped management gain clearer visibility into employees’ aspirations and strengths to align with FotoHub’s long-term organisational goals. Line managers are better equipped to conduct more effective career conversations, establish clearer development plans, and build stronger career pathways, laying the foundation for higher engagement and a more future-ready workforce.

LOTTE Travel Retail Singapore (LOTTE):

Another company that has benefited from the initiative is LOTTE. Following the adoption of automation and advanced technologies, LOTTE participated in the JSIT-R Workforce Diagnostic Programme to redesign roles such as retail associate and cashier into customer experience associate, and retail supervisor into customer experience leader, with the aim of boosting productivity and improving service quality. With CCP support, 24 employees were successfully reskilled into redesigned roles. 

LOTTE expects to achieve increased productivity with reduced manual and repetitive tasks, enhance customer experience through faster and personalised service, and strengthen employee engagement as staff take on higher-value roles.

Strengthening support for a future-ready retail sector

JSIT-R has the long-term vision to help retailers accelerate workforce transformation, remain competitive, and become employers of choice. Whether you are a small boutique or a large retail chain, JSIT-R provides the tools and funding support needed to upskill and reskill your workforce.

Let JSIT-R help you build a future-ready retail business. Join the growing number of retailers who have transformed. Register your interest today at https://snef.org.sg/jsit-r.