Retail is all about giving the customer what they want and delivering it effectively. If you think you have what it takes to help a business succeed in retail then this is your starting point. Learn all about the marketable skills of display, selling and online marketing in order to ensure customer satisfaction and successful sales in partnership with some of Cork’s major retailers. Students participate in site visits and Institute events.

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  • Customer Service 5N0972 – Apply the personal skills, qualities and attitudes required to perform effectively when dealing with customers. Handle a range of challenging situations, demonstrate team or group work in providing customer care. Look at practical examples of organisations with good customer care and their success.
  • Marketing Practice 5N1400 – Conduct a SWOT analysis. Develop a marketing plan for a specific product or service. Examine the life cycle of a range of products including new product development. Explain the elements of the marketing mix. Carry out market research applying appropriate techniques and research methodologies.
  • Retail Security 5N1777 – The purpose of this award is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to work as a Retail Security Officer performing practical security duties and procedures, and responding to security situations, in order to maintain a safe and secure environment for staff and members of the public.
  • Retail Display 5N1861 – Learn about visual merchandising display. Design a retail display to include appropriate materials and construction. Employ graphics to communicate pricing and offers to customers of a retail outlet. Suggest suitable display types for a range of retail contexts including self service, personal service etc.
  • Retail Selling 5N1619 – Learn the technologies currently used in the retail sector including cash registers, bar code scanners, stock security devices etc. Learn about customer loyalty, merchandising, retail ethics and training and communication skills.Learn how to open and close a sale, deal with complaints or present alternative products.
  • Spreadsheet Methods 5N1977 – Produce a spreadsheet that meets a simple design specification and is fit for purpose. Learn a range of spreadsheet features such as data and cell formatting techniques, conditional IF statements, financial, date and time functions. Generate a variety of types of graphs from spreadsheet data. Automate routine multi-step tasks through the creation, execution and management of simple macros.
  • Teamworking 5N1367 – Participate in core team-working activities to include negotiation, problem solving, finding solutions, decision making and conflict resolution. Demonstrate appropriate communications, problem solving and negotiation techniques in a range of team-working situations and roles to include leadership roles and give a receive feedback. Monitor personal strengths and skills as a team participant.
  • Work Experience 5N1356 – Planning, preparation and reflection on work placement. Job finding strategies, CV and personal statement preparation, interview skills. Practise employability skills with a view to future planning.

Additional Training

  • CCOC Manual Handling Training and Certification: Manual handling training is required under Regulation 13 of the 1993 (General Application Regulations) and 1993 Manual Handling Regulations. This training programme is aimed at providing all persons at work with proper techniques when lifting, carrying, loading, pushing and supporting. It provides employees with good work practices such as proper lift Manual Handling Techniques. The course includes being aware of the necessity for safe methods of manual handling to reduce the risk of injury and understanding the need to avoid manual handling by using mechanical aids where possible. Furthermore, assessing the task using the TILE criteria (task, individual, load, environment) and implementing the correct method of lifting ensuring minimal risk to self and co-workers will also be included.  Finally, knowing how to safely execute all relevant workplace manual handling tasks will be demonstrated. A certificate will be issued to learners who successfully complete the course.
  • Digital Media
  • Entrepreneurial Skills: This workshop gives learners an introduction to the area of Entrepreneurship.  The course includes a definition of an Entrepreneur, characteristics and common traits of an Entrepreneur and barriers to Entrepreneurship.  Additionally, the advantages to Entrepreneurship will be outlined and finally aids and assistance that will help Entrepreneurs will be discussed.
  • Professional Image & Style Workshop: This workshop offers an insight into grooming and styling for the professional world.  It covers a wide range of topics such as dressing for your shape, colour analysis and making the most of your wardrobe.  Essential for those going on work experience or job interview.

Leaving Certificate, LCA or QQI Level 4. Mature students are exempt from Leaving Certificate requirement. All applicants are interviewed. An offer of a place on this course is contingent on the applicant meeting the entry requirements set out here and satisfactory presentation at interview.

Excellent progressions opportunities including:

Excellent progression opportunities to other Higher Education colleges. Special arrangements in place with CIT (CCPS), Tralee IT and Waterford IT for preferential entry for College of Commerce students. Up to 390 CAO points for any Institute of Technology can be attained by successful completion of this course. See  Progressions for details.

Retail assistant, retail advisor, merchandiser.

All students can access the Jobs Advice Hub. Graduates can subscribe to CCOC college jobs register and CCOC LinkedIn alumni for up to date vacancies and networking.

  • Duration: September to May
  • Fees: €500 including QQI examination fees. (Medical card holders exempt from €250). See payment for details.
  • Certification:
    • QQI Level 5 Certificate in Retail Practice 5M2105
    • QQI Component Maths 5N1833 and Statistics 5N2066 (available as option in the evening for learners requiring Maths or Statistics for progression).
  • Work Experience: Students undertake work placement one day per week in partnership with a number of nominated retail outlets for the duration of the year. Students are assigned to one of the partnership companies for their placement.
  • Click to view, print or download prospectus page.

Email: marketing@ccoc.ie          Tel: (021) 4223853

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    I loved my marketing and event management course in CCOC. It is a great college where you get a lot of support and help from your tutors. It gave me the confidence to pursue higher education, which I am currently studying a degree in Marketing and Multimedia at the University of Roehampton.

    Angela Eninš, Marketing and Event Management 2015

    I am a 26 year old qualified accountant working in Quintas Partners in Cork City, I have this week took a senior accountant role within this firm which will give me the platform to progress in my career and achieve my goals I set in 2007 when I started my journey in Cork College of Commerce.

    Don Broderick, Accountant, Quintas Partners

    CCOC provided me with the encouraging, supportive & motivating environment I needed to excel in my studies & progress to UWSTD where I completed my Marketing degree with just one further year study there. The high marks I received in my degree was testament to the three years I spent in CCOC being constantly challenged & supported by brilliant teachers, as is my job as a Marketing Executive.  The personal approach was one of my best aspects, everyone’s needs were catered for individually and there was no “one size fits all” attitude.

    Teresa Lenane, Graduate of University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea