To get ahead in any of the retail areas outlined in get in to retail, there are a host of courses and qualifications that can get you moving in the right direction.

In 2009, the retail skills system become a lot easier to navigate. There are now just three categories of retail qualifications:

• Job-related
• Licence to practice
• Getting into retail

Within all of these categories, there are nine levels. If you complete enough modules or courses in each level, they are seen by employers as being equivalent to standard academic qualifications such as GCSEs, A levels and degrees.

Of course, because each nation in the UK does everything a little differently, you'll have to make sure you're looking in the right place. To help make this easier for you, the map below will take you to the information which is relevent where you live.

England - Wales - Scotland - Northern Ireland