Solent Retail Skills Bootcamp

Get retail-ready with this fully-funded retail training opportunity for jobseekers in the Solent area of Hampshire.

Looking for a fresh start or your first step into the world of work? The Solent Retail Skills Bootcamp is designed specifically for people who are currently unemployed and eager to build confidence, gain new skills, and access job opportunities in the retail sector. Delivered in collaboration with the Solent Growth Partnership, this practical course covers essential retail knowledge, from customer service and teamwork to merchandising and sales technology – preparing you for real roles in today’s dynamic retail environment.

Don’t miss out! Our next fully-funded courses, available at no cost to eligible jobseekers, begin on the 15th September in Gosport & the 27th October on the Isle of Wight (see below for more dates & different locations). Learn more and take your first step towards a retail career by registering your interest today!

Duration: 60 hours learning over 2 weeks Course Fee Information

Course Overview

If you’re currently unemployed and living in the Solent area of Hampshire, the Solent Retail Skills Bootcamp offers a direct route into work with practical training designed to help you succeed in today’s retail sector. Whether you’re returning to work or exploring a new direction, this fully-funded programme will equip you with the essential skills retail employers are looking for – from customer service and teamwork to handling payments and retail technology.

You’ll also benefit from tailored employability support, including CV writing workshops, interview preparation, and personalised career guidance. Best of all, every participant is guaranteed a job interview with a local retail employer, helping you take confident steps toward immediate employment.

This Skills Bootcamp is delivered in collaboration with the Solent Growth Partnership. Solent Growth Partnership has successfully secured funding from the Department for Education (DfE) to support the running of Skills Bootcamps in the Solent region. This funding will boost the Solent’s workforce, ensuring employers have access to new talent, and individuals acquire the skills to get the type of jobs that they aspire to.

Duration:	60 hours learning over 2 weeks
Timings:	This two-week Bootcamp runs Monday to Friday, with daily sessions from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Each day includes planned breaks and a lunch period.
Study Modes:	Delivered in-person (not online/remote), this classroom-based group programme combines practical, engaging activities with expert coaching.
Qualifications and Level:	A Certificate of Completion issued by Fareport Training in collaboration with the Solent Growth Partnership
Entry requirements:	To be eligible for this programme, you must be aged 19 or over by 31st August 2025 and live within the Solent area of Hampshire. This Bootcamp is designed for people who are currently unemployed and exploring a future career in the retail sector. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and have lived here continuously for the past three years. We’re looking for motivated individuals who are genuinely interested in building a retail career and ready to commit to developing their skills through practical, hands-on learning.
Cost:	If you’re currently out of work and living in the Solent area of Hampshire, you may qualify for fully funded training - made possible through Department for Education funding via the Solent Growth Partnership. Please be aware that all funding is dependent on meeting the full eligibility criteria for the programme.
Who is this aimed at?	This Retail Skills Bootcamp is tailored for Solent residents who are unemployed and looking to build the skills and knowledge needed to begin a career in the retail industry.

Course Date	Information
Monday 15th September 2025	GOSPORT - Designed for individuals who are currently unemployed and interested in launching a career in retail, this programme includes focused employability training and offers a guaranteed job interview. This course will be running in Gosport's Citizens Advice Bureau office, Monday to Friday over two weeks, with daily sessions from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Scheduled breaks and time for lunch included.
Monday 27th October 2025	ISLE OF WIGHT - Designed for individuals who are currently unemployed and interested in launching a career in retail, this programme includes focused employability training and offers a guaranteed job interview. This course will be running on the Isle of Wight (location to be confirmed), Monday to Friday over two weeks, with daily sessions from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Scheduled breaks and time for lunch included. Please note the second week will be online training delivery, not face to face.
Monday 3rd November 2025	HAVANT - Designed for individuals who are currently unemployed and interested in launching a career in retail, this programme includes focused employability training and offers a guaranteed job interview. This course will be running in Havant (location to be confirmed), Monday to Friday over two weeks, with daily sessions from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Scheduled breaks and time for lunch included.
Monday 24th November 2025	SOUTHAMPTON - Designed for individuals who are currently unemployed and interested in launching a career in retail, this programme includes focused employability training and offers a guaranteed job interview. This course will be running in Southampton (location to be confirmed), Monday to Friday over two weeks, with daily sessions from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Scheduled breaks and time for lunch included.

Module 1: Introduction To Retail & The Role Of A Sales Assistant This module introduces learners to the retail sector, exploring various types of retail environments such as high street stores, online platforms, and independent businesses. Participants will also gain a clear understanding of the sales assistant’s responsibilities and the customer journey from start to finish.
Module 2: Delivering Excellent Customer Service Learners will explore the foundations of outstanding customer service, focusing on body language, first impressions, and active listening. The module also covers how to identify and meet customer needs while effectively handling complaints and challenging situations.
Module 3: Communication Skills In Retail This session strengthens both verbal and non-verbal communication skills essential for retail interactions. It also introduces techniques for engaging with a diverse customer base and using retail-specific language confidently.
Module 4: Product Knowledge & Merchandising Basics Participants will learn how to understand and promote products and services effectively, with techniques such as upselling and cross-selling. Visual merchandising principles and stock rotation methods are also covered to support effective in-store presentation.
Module 5: Health & Safety In A Retail Store The module raises awareness of common retail hazards and teaches essential manual handling techniques. Learners will also develop a strong understanding of personal safety, security, and workplace health and safety policies.
Module 6: Operating In A Retail Environment This module equips learners with the practical skills to manage transactions, including handling payments and managing daily opening and closing routines. It also explores pricing, promotions, and retail technologies, along with key legal responsibilities such as data protection and age-restricted sales.
Module 7: Teamwork In Retail Participants will understand the importance of collaboration, professionalism, and reliability in a retail setting. Timekeeping, appropriate workplace behaviour, appearance, and stress management are also key focus areas.
Module 8: Understanding Marketing Within Retail This module introduces the role of marketing in retail, including the 4P’s (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) and digital marketing basics. Learners will also explore how sales assistants support marketing through customer data and frontline engagement.
Module 9: Preparing For The Next Steps Learners reflect on retail career pathways and assess their strengths through self-assessment tools and personal development planning. The module supports learners in setting clear goals and preparing for progression beyond the programme.
Module 10: Development & Next Steps In the final module, learners present what they’ve learned throughout the course, including any personal growth or new responsibilities taken on. This presentation reinforces their development journey and outlines plans for their next career move.

Build Your Retail Skills In Just 2 Weeks

Our Solent Retail Skills Bootcamp is designed to help unemployed individuals build the confidence, knowledge, and practical experience needed to step into a retail role. Through a structured, hands-on programme, you’ll develop essential skills that employers in today’s retail sector are actively looking for.

What you can expect to learn:

How the retail sector operates – including high street, online, and independent retail environments
Delivering excellent customer service through active listening, positive body language, and complaint handling
Communicating effectively with customers from diverse backgrounds
Understanding product ranges, upselling techniques, and visual merchandising basics
Following health and safety procedures, manual handling, and store security protocols
Using retail technology and handling payments with confidence
Working as part of a professional retail team – reliability, timekeeping, and workplace behaviour
Basics of retail marketing and how sales assistants support promotions and campaigns
Career planning, CV writing, interview preparation, and a guaranteed job interview with a local Solent retail employer

This Skills Bootcamp can give you the skills and support to make a confident return to the workforce – and take your first step towards a career in retail.

Richard Wignall

Trainer

Richard joined Fareport as a Trainer in March 2019 from a previous career in Retail Management.

He has delivered from Level 2 right up to Level 6 apprenticeship training across industries such as Retail, Customer Service, Buying & Merchandising and Operational Management.

He has achieved qualifications from level 2  up to level 5 and has become one of Fareport’s Apprenticeship Leads in that time supporting other trainers across the team.

Jemma Bradshaw

Trainer

Jemma started with Fareport in July 2019.

She primarily delivers HR Level 3, Fundraiser Level 3, L&D Level 3, L&D Level 5, Learning and Skills Teacher Level 5, Retail Level 2,3,4.

Coming from a Management background in Retail and Hospitality for over 20 years, prior to this working in variety of HR and Administration based roles in Banking, Solicitors, Recruitment, Payroll, Health & Safety and whilst at College I was a Butcher at Sainsbury’s.

Feedback from our Solent Retail Skills Bootcamp participants will be available soon. In the meantime, you can explore testimonials from learners on other Skills Bootcamps further down this page.

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Why choose to learn with Fareport Training?

Fareport Training was established in 1981 in order to offer young people a route into work through work based training. In 2014 the business was purchased with support from entrepreneur Theo Paphitis by Natalie Cahill and Marinos Paphitis. Since then we have been building on Fareport’s excellent reputation for high quality training, delivering apprenticeships, HTQ’s and Skills Bootcamps across England. We are proud to offer:

Expert-Led Instruction: Gain insights from industry leaders and seasoned professionals.
Cutting-Edge Curriculum: Stay ahead with the latest trends, tools, and techniques.
Flexible Learning Options: Balance your education with your professional and personal life.

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Customer Testimonials

Real experiences, real success—hear from our learners and employers about how our training programmes have made a difference.

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The course has significantly improved my ability to make data-driven decisions. I’ve developed a more analytical mindset, allowing me to approach problems with a structured and evidence-based methodology.

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Very pleased and lucky I found – and signed up for – the course. It’s given me the foundations to move forward with my business in a more strategic direction. Would highly recommend to any business owner.

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Before joining Fareport’s Data Analytics Bootcamp, my skills were basic. The course built my skills in Excel, SQL, Python, and Power BI. With support from a career coach, I secured a new job even before completing the course. Highly recommend!

Joshua Henry

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The course offers clear, essential data analytics info. The localized approach to business analysis and use of unique applications will make me more competitive in the market.

Illia Polianskyi

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More confident in starting out a project, because I have acquired the fundamentals of project management and aspiring to gain more knowledge along the way, to further enhance my skills.

Bootcamp Learner

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Thank you to the team at Fareport for their support, especially to the trainers who were amazing and highly knowledgeable!

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The course covered all aspects of digital marketing, with great training on using data for effective campaigns. Our trainer was friendly, professional, and her knowledge has been a breath of fresh air, helping the business move forward.

Emma Shellis-Murray

M&M Gas Services Southern Ltd

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I have been able to structure the research I have been doing into a tangible project. I have learnt new methodologies and ways of presenting data. I can apply for roles which previously alluded me.