House of Fraser chief executive John King has endorsed the Diploma in Retail Business, the first national curriculum qualification for retailing, by becoming the scheme's "employer champion".

Teaching of the diploma in schools will begin in two years, combining classroom study with work experience placements for 14-19 year olds. King describes the diploma as the qualification retailers have been waiting for.

King says the result of this training will be "A pool of eager, better prepared and more effective young people, benefiting employers and employees alike, and helping to make retail a career destination of choice."