A cashier's job requirements go way beyond operating the cash register. Cashiers have to think on their feet and provide impeccable customer service – and often, their on-the-job training isn't adequate to equip them with those skills.
However, aspiring cashiers can turn to online training programs to help them fill out their skill set, with courses often focusing on areas like service behavior, cash handling and quick problem-solving. Retailers will sometimes provide their own online training for new cashiers, and some cash register software companies offer software training on their websites. If neither of those options apply to you, you might want to find an online course to build your confidence in the role of cashier.
You have a few options if you're an aspiring cashier seeking some online training.
Point of Sale University
This site has an online certification program for point of sale personnel. You can work through the point of sale and cashier certification course curriculum at your own pace, and by the end you'll be proficient in handling cash, checks and other basic cashier duties. The course costs $40.
National Grocery Association (NGA)
The NGA offers some specific cashier training options, including:
- General cashier course (1 hour)
- Cashier course focusing on alcohol sales compliance (1 hour, 15 minutes)
- Cashier course on produce identification (30 minutes)
- Cashier course focusing on tobacco sales compliance for California (1 hour, 45 minutes) or New York (2 hours, 35 minutes)
- Cashier training for WIC (the Women, Infants and Children government assistance program) administration procedures (1 hour) or WIC training (1 hour).
You can also take courses on customer service, professionalism, stress management and other relevant workplace skills, and simultaneously receive some college credit.
These courses are available in a catalog that generally caters to retailers. They can access the whole course catalog for unlimited training for $1,500 per year.
RetailTraining.com
This provider offers basic, 40-minute online training that focuses on service behaviors for point of sale jobs. The training covers interpersonal service skills and how to apply those skills while adhering to store policies. It doesn't touch on specific cash register operations, but instead sticks to customer service training.
The course costs $20.
