Download guide - The Bournemouth & Poole College

106RETAILfull time prospectus 2013/14RETAILfull time prospectus 2013/14107people who want a retail career and are lookingfor a college-based, vocational qualification in thefundamentals of retail work. It covers the key retailareas of teamwork, customer service, stock controland display - ensuring that you have the skills andknowledge you need to be an effective and valuableretail professional at the “sharp end” of the industry.The main part of this programme concentrates ondeveloping your skills and knowledge as a retailprofessional, both in The College and in the workplace.The units covered will be relevant to the widest rangeof retail businesses, no matter what size they are orwhat customer profile or type of merchandise theydeal with.Retail subjects include:• Working effectively in your retail team• Personal presentation and image• Customer service• Visual merchandising and display• Processing payments• Product handling• Sales promotion• Storage and stock control• Security and loss prevention• Consumer rights• Health and SafetyRetailing is a major user of new business technology soyou will also develop IT skills:• Word processing software• Spreadsheet software• Drawing and planning softwareThe third element to this programme will be theCertificate in Retail Knowledge which is a varietyof modules that will test your knowledge andunderstanding of the retail industry. You will alsostudy a Functional Skill appropriate to your level ofachievement.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONA key feature of this programme is workplaceobservation within a retail business. Some studentsfind their own retail work, but more usually TheCollege arranges placements for students on theprogramme. The placement not only lets you put yourskills into practice but also provides you with much ofthe evidence needed to achieve the qualification. Youcannot complete this programme without evidencefrom a real retail environment.During the programme you will visit retailenvironments. Past visits have included WestfieldShopping Centre in London, The Clothes Show Live atThe NEC and local retailers. There are also opportunitiesto try out your sales skills on fellow students and staffthrough our College Market Stall activities.NEXT STEPThis programme is an excellent basis for a range ofwork or learning options. Some students will progressdirectly into retail employment and may build on theirvocational qualifications in the workplace or throughan Advanced Apprenticeship. Others may take a moreacademic route through a business related Level 3course at The College, possibly leading to a place atuniversity.LEVEL 3 RETAIL DISPLAY AND VISUALMERCHANDISING PROGRAMMEBASED AT: LANSDOWNE, BOURNEMOUTHCOURSE LEVEL: LEVEL 3ENTRY REQUIREMENTSYou should have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at gradesA* - C, one of which should be English, or a Level2 Business or Retail Diploma or equivalent. Equallyimportant is an eye for design and a real interest inworking in the retail sector.THE COURSEModern High Streets and shopping centres aredesigned to attract, excite and hold the customer’sinterest and, above all, to drive sales throughthe combination of art and science, that is, visualmerchandising. This programme is designed for peoplelooking to use their artistic, business and design skillsin a retail environment.The main part of this programme concentrates ondeveloping your skills and knowledge as a retail designand merchandising professional, both in The Collegeand in the workplace. The units covered have beenchosen to reflect the full range of skills needed to beeffective in this exciting specialism, no matter whatmerchandise you work with.Retail subjects include:• Designing display layouts• Choosing merchandise and graphics• Managing display budgets• Dressing displays• Working effectively with your team• Evaluating the effectiveness of visualmerchandisingRetail merchandising is a major user of new businesstechnology, so you will also develop IT skills:• Drawing and planning software• Desktop publishing software• Spreadsheet software• Presentation softwareDepending on your progression through theprogramme, there may be opportunities to gain extraqualifications in other aspects of retail knowledge. Youwill also study a Functional Skill appropriate to yourlevel of achievement.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONA key feature of this programme is workplaceobservation within a retail business. Some studentsfind their own retail work, but more usually The Collegearranges placements for students on the programme.The placement not only lets you put your skills intopractice but provides much of the evidence neededto achieve the qualification. You cannot completethis programme without evidence from a real retailenvironment. During the programme you will visitretail operations and display suppliers. Past visits haveincluded Westfield shopping centre in London, theClothes Show Live at the NEC and local retailers.NEXT STEPThis programme is an excellent basis for a range ofwork or learning options. Some students will progressdirectly into retail employment and may build on theirvocational qualifications in the workplace. Others maytake a more academic route through a business-relatedLevel 3 course at The College, possibly leading to aplace at university.www.thecollege.co.ukThe College helpline 01202 205 205