Bangalore: Staffing services leader TeamLease has partnered with Manipal Universal Learning to launch a two-month training programme aimed at the retail sector.

The residential programme is slated to run initially in Bangalore and tier-II towns in Karnataka. Candidates for the programme are sourced by TeamLease, and are moved to Bangalore for residential training after the initial assessment is compeleted.

The minimum qualification required for the programme is higher secondary level of education. The programme costs Rs13,000, and is designed for front-end sales related job profiles.

According to Rajesh A.R., vice-president, TeamLease, candidates would be assured of a placement on completion of the course, and the fee would be refunded by TeamLease if they are unable to place the candidate upon completion of the program.

However, given that major retail chains are actively seeking the services of staffing service companies to provide manpower to their outlets, this scenario would be rare, if not totally unlikely. Demand for frontline sales staff in the retail industry is estimated at about 2.1 lakh associates. This programme is designed to bridge the gap between skilled and semi-skilled manpower, while catering to the huge demand in the retail sector.