FMI, LearnSomething team up to create career prep programs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. The Food Marketing Institute and LearnSomething announced Friday the development of programs that provide pre-employment training for job applicants and performance training for current retail workers.

The food, drug and mass career preparation programs are available online to accomodate employees' and retailers' schedules, and require a shorter completion time than comparable classroom programs, FMI and LearnSomething said. The first program being offered is the pharmacy technician program, which includes the preparation course for pharmacy technician certification. The groups also soon will provide a program catered to retail associates, with specialization in food or health, beauty and wellness.

"We know from our lengthy experience in grocery and pharmacy that great training is transformative, strengthening retailers' brands and results, [as well as] employee job satisfaction," said Steve Roden, CEO of LearnSomething. "Getting training right comes from maintaining a superior production team and collaborating with the right partners, such as FMI, who has a fantastic track record in supporting their members."

All program completers receive 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 Leslie Sarasin, FMI president and CEO. "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. We couldn't be more thrilled to be involved in this partnership with LearnSomething. We are certain that our members who review these preparation programs will agree," she added.