ICA-AP training program for Managers of Consumer Co-ops

                             Training program for Managers of Consumer Co-ops

The first batch of the 2014 training program for managers of consumer co-operatives organized by ICA-AP in collaboration with Japanese Consumer Co-operative Union (JCCU) was held from July 25 to August 9, with Miyagi Co-op and Co-op Net Business Association providing the training grounds, the facilities and resource persons.

The training program which lasted for 14 days was attended by three co-operative staff members from the Abra Diocesan Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the Philippines (Ms. Ligaya Adame Barbadillo), Shree Warana Vibhag Sahakari Grahak Mandal Ltd., India (Mr. Tanaji Maruti Dhere) and Saigon Co-op, Viet Nam (Mr. Vo Hoang Anh) in the areas of store operation and management.Participants were selected after having met the requirements of the interview conducted by the ICA-AP secretary to the consumer committee in Malaysia Business Office.

A comprehensive program, consisting of different training modules that covered the training proposals requested by the trainees to address their difficult challenges in their work place, was designed by the host organizations. Some of the challenges were, to mention a few, how to raise market share and competitiveness, how to retain staff and to raise members loyalty. Upon arrival, the trainees received a 2-day orientation course at JCCU headquarters, where they received lectures on the Japanese retail industry, the Japanese consumer co-operative business and the Merchandising Policy of Consumer Co-op to gain insight to the retail business environment in Japan.

Trainees spent two and a half days at Co-op Net to receive lectures on structure and mechanism of business solidarity and social and environmental initiatives and then moved to Miyagi Co-op in Sendai for another 10 days training that allowed them to have a practical work experience at the store and to attend conventional meeting between the store manager and the chiefs of various sections.

At the end of the training, an action plan was drawn by each trainee to address what they intend implementing upon returning to their home countries. The trainees returned home on August 10th.

The second batch of the 2014 ICA-AP training will be held from November 7 to November 23.