NGA, First Data Provide Affordable Online Training to Indies

The National Grocers Association and First Data Corporation, a provider of electronic commerce and payment processing, have formed a new partnership that makes online education and training more accessible and affordable for independent grocers.

With the support of First Data, NGA members are now able to receive access to the NGA Online Training & Education Center at a new rate of $500 per-year, per-store - a discount of up to 80 percent over previous prices.

"NGA strives to continually expand the technological and educational resources available to our members," said Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO, NGA. "This partnership with First Data will allow independent grocers to provide high-quality internal training resources for their employees without breaking the bank."

The NGA Online Training & Education Center, with support from The IGA Coca-Cola Institute, offers a continually expanding selection of online training courses developed to meet the specific needs of food retailers. Over 90 courses are available in seven languages on topics such as general retail knowledge, supermarket department procedures, food safety, customer service, logistics, and management -- all available online for access anytime, anywhere. Stores can enroll unlimited employees in unlimited courses, and can track the progress of their students in real-time to ensure employee success.

"We had a successful first year working with NGA on developing new opportunities for knowledge transfer and employee growth," added Dr. Paulo Goelzer, president and CEO of The IGA Coca-Cola Institute. "First Data's support of the program will now make access to our expansive learning library more accessible than ever for even the smallest grocers."

This special program is available only to NGA retail members as an exclusive benefit of membership.

"As a longtime supporter of NGA and the independent grocery community, First Data is proud to support education initiatives like the NGA Online Training and Education Center," said OB Rawls, SVP, Merchant Accounts, TASQ and Leasing Sales, First Data. "Through our partnership with NGA, we hope to strengthen the industry through affordable and accessible training for independents of all sizes."

The NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry.