About NRF Foundation RISE Up

In today’s fast-paced retail environment, having the right skills and credentials can make all the difference. RISE Up is the National Retail Federation (NRF) Foundation’s training and credentialing program that provides foundational employability skills to help individuals land jobs and get promoted in retail and beyond. Developed in collaboration with more than thirty retailers, the RISE Up program has already made a significant impact, with over 3,500 partners nationwide offering its training and credentialing courses to more than 75,000 learners each year.

Audience & Courses

RISE Up’s largest audience is high school students, followed by community college students, workforce development program participants, and retail employees. The RISE Up program offers a range of credentials, including Retail Industry Fundamentals, Customer Service & Sales, Business of Retail, Supply Chain, Inventory & Logistics and Customer Conflict De-escalation.

Delivered online or in the classroom, these courses are designed to bridge the gap between education and work by providing learners with in-demand skills and knowledge that are directly applicable to the retail industry and highly transferable to others, such as customer service, sales, and business operations. The program shows learners and job seekers how the places they shop can become the places they work. 

How RISE Up Supports Statewide Career Technical Education (CTE) Efforts

Check now to see which RISE Up credentials are approved by your states’ Departments of Education. Below are a few ways state CTE leaders can utilize the RISE Up program:

• Strengthen Workforce Alignment: State CTE leaders can use RISE Up programs to align educational content with industry needs, ensuring that learners gain relevant skills for the workforce.
• Enhance Curriculum with Real-World Skills: State CTE leaders can use RISE Up training materials to teach essential retail and customer service skills, ensuring learners gain practical, job-ready abilities.
• Support Career Pathways: State CTE leaders can align RISE Up credentials with state-defined career pathways, helping learners transition smoothly from education to employment in the retail sector and beyond.
• Promote Equity and Access: The RISE Up program is offered both online and in-person, allowing for greater accessibility and adaptability, enabling a diverse range of learners to benefit from the program.

RISE Up Partner of the Year

An example of the RISE Up program’s success is The College of the Florida Keys, which was named the 2025 RISE Up Partner of the Year. This recognition highlights the college’s exceptional use of the RISE Up training program to prepare learners for the workforce and beyond. The program has been integrated into the college’s Project ACCESS, which supports learners with intellectual disabilities and autism. Through RISE Up, these learners gain valuable skills and confidence, enabling them to secure jobs in retail and other industries.

The success stories of RISE Up participants are a testament to the program’s effectiveness. Graduates of the program have gone on to secure meaningful employment and advance their careers in the retail industry. The credentials earned through RISE Up are industry-recognized, making them a valuable asset for job seekers. As one participant noted, “The NRF Foundation’s RISE Up curriculum is instrumental in providing opportunities for inclusion in the retail industry and beyond.”

Delivering the RISE Up program

The NRF Foundation’s RISE Up program is a powerful tool for empowering individuals and strengthening the retail workforce.

By providing high-quality training and credentials, the program helps learners build the skills they need to succeed and thrive in their careers. Whether you’re a student, a job seeker, or an employer, the RISE Up program offers valuable resources to support your journey.

Join the thousands of individuals and organizations who have already benefited from RISE Up and take the first step towards a brighter future.

Learn more today at NRFFoundation.org/RISEUp.

The views, opinions, services, and products shared in this post are solely for educational purposes and do not imply agreement or endorsement by Advance CTE, nor discrimination against similar brands, products, or services not mentioned.