FMI, LearnSomething Rolling Out Career Prep Programs

The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and LearnSomething have issued the first of their Food, Drug and Mass Career Preparation Programs, which will offer pre-employment training for job applicants and performance training for current retail workers.

To ensure continuing value to completers, FMI and LearnSomething are developing programs only for those positions projected to have increasing and long-term demand.

“We know from our lengthy experience in grocery and pharmacy that great training is transformative, strengthening retailers’ brand and results, as well as employee job satisfaction,” noted Steve Roden, CEO of LearnSomething, a Tallahassee, Fla.-based provider of e-learning solutions for the food, drug and health care industries. “Getting training right is always the result of maintaining a superior production team and collaborating with the right partners, such as FMI, who has a fantastic track record in supporting their members.”

The programs’ online format accommodates both employees’ and retailers’ schedules, as well as requiring a shorter completion time than comparable classroom programs.

The first program available is the Pharmacy Technician Preparation Program. Coming soon is the Retail Associate Preparation Program, with specialization either in food or in health, beauty and wellness. Both programs offer an overview of retail operations and can be used as a foundation from which to pursue management positions. All program completers get a certificate of completion endorsed by the FMI Foundation.

“These programs provide the broad foundation and versatile skills employees need to perform well today and adapt quickly to tomorrow’s changes,” said FMI president and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin. “In the end, it’s all about meeting the changing needs of our members, their customers and the essential link between the two — retail employees.”