Workforce and Operational Resilience in the Retail Value Chain: Exploring the Degree Apprenticeship System
Abstract
Background and Purpose: The retail value chain in Nigeria comes second only to agriculture as the country's largest employer of the labour force, accounting for more than 10% of the national Gross Domestic Product. However, it still struggles with challenges such as operational instability, skill deficits and disruption vulnerability. Due to these shortcomings, this study draws on the perspectives of stakeholders and degree-focused youths to explore the potential role of a formalised degree apprenticeship system, which may help improve the resilience and performance of the retail value chain's workforce.
Methods: Built upon the Resource-Based View theory, the study adopts a mixed-method approach, drawing interview data from 13 stakeholders within the retail value chain, combined with survey respondents from 100 degree-focused youths.
Results: The survey results suggest that there are differences among age and gender groups within the population in how they perceive degree apprenticeships can help with workforce stability and resilience. Thematic insights also showed the need for policy support, increased awareness and industry-academia partnerships to achieve successful implementation.
Conclusion: The study concluded with recommendations to create structured degree apprenticeships that would be a game-changer in the retail value chain, helping drive the nation's workforce development, operational resilience, and sustainable growth. However, the results are based on stakeholders' perceptions rather than actual impacts on operational resilience.
