Level 3

Visual Merchandising Team Leader

J9A3704 Medium

FOR HEAD OFFICE AND RETAIL EMPLOYEES IN VM, DISPLAY AND SPACE PLANNING ROLES

Developed exclusively by FRA Business to meet the specific needs of the retail sector, our Level Visual Merchandising Team Leader programme is the only VM-focused apprenticeship in England. Designed to develop commercial, creative and operational skills, apprentices will learn to conceptualise exciting new ways to encourage customers to shop in order to achieve sales targets.

On completion of this programme, learners will gain a broad knowledge of retail transformation, exploring the current retail and visual merchandising climate to understand how strategic and effective VM solutions drive customer engagement, brand recognition and sales.​ 

Apprenticeship details

KEY INFORMATION

  • Teaches the basic principles, science and psychology of visual merchandising 
  • Develops skills in creative display and storytelling to drive commercial KPIs
  • Explores use of VM to create a seamless, multichannel customer experiences 
  • Hybrid, online and in-person delivery
  • Practical experience balanced with theoretical learning
  • Open cohorts for less than 11 apprentices available with rolling start dates throughout the year
  • Closed cohorts for more than 11 apprentices starting at a time that suits your brand
COST
£4,000
per learner
DURATION
12–15
months

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APPRENTICESHIP DETAILS

Overview
Cost & Funding
Dates & Timings
Course Structure & Assessment

The Level 3 Visual Merchandising Team Leader apprenticeship is the only course of its kind, interweaving a nationally-recognised programme with VM best practice.

  • Open cohorts start in February/March, April/May and September/October
  • Closed cohorts can start at any time
  • Hybrid, online and in-person delivery
  • Practical experience balanced with theoretical learning

Unique to the Fashion Retail Academy, this programme develops commercial, operational, and creative capabilities, enabling you to conceptualise exciting new ways to encourage customers to shop. Equipped with a background in retail transformation, you will investigate the current retail and VM climate to create strategic and effective VM solutions that drive engagement and sales aligned with brand identity. 

On completion of this apprenticeship, learners will gain an understanding of how successful VM feeds into wider business objectives, having explored and analysed customer journeys and VM techniques. Apprentices will also be equipped with fundamental leadership skills to motivate and monitor their team for optimal performance.

The Level 3 Visual Merchandising Team Leader apprenticeship costs £4,000 per learner which includes End-Point Assessment.

Funding

Apprenticeships can be funded from your Apprenticeship Levy or by Government Co-Invest. If you do not pay the Levy, the Government will fund 95% of the programme, meaning you pay as little as £200 per person you enrol. We are also able to offer privately funded places for any employees not eligible for apprenticeship funding. For further information about funding options, eligibility and costs, please contact us.

Cost Includes:

  • Bespoke off-the-job learning plan
  • Programme Manager overseeing the learner journey and apprentice experience
  • Delivery of the programme by retail experts
  • Blend of sessions including online learning, webinars, in-person workshops, and individual coaching and support
  • Preparation and support for End-Point Assessment
  • Dedicated Client Manager
  • Access to FRA resources including WGSN, LinkedIn Learning, Global Data, Business of Fashion, Fashion/Beauty Monitor and Drapers
  • Online e-Portfolio
  • Monthly progress report

Duration: 15 months

The Level 3 Visual Merchandising Team Leader apprenticeship typically takes 15 months to complete, followed by a period of end-point assessment of approximately 3 months.

Next Open Cohort Intake

April/May 2024
September/October 2024
February/March 2025

Enquire now to secure places for your team

Closed Cohorts

We can begin a closed intake apprenticeship at any time that suits your brand. We require a minimum of 16 learners to offer a closed cohort for Level 3 Visual Merchandising Team Leader.

For our closed-access programmes, we can devise a flexible programme and delivery model to support the needs of your business – please get in touch to find out more about the options available.

Off-the-job learning is delivered through a combination of full day and half day group workshops approximately every 2 weeks, which may take place online or in person.  

Learning modules

Module 1: Business & Brand

  • Legal & governance
  • Brand reputation
  • Brand development
  • Market positioning
  • Business markets
  • Environmental factors
  • Leadership

Module 2: Commercial Finance

  • Profitable retail performance
  • Effective stock control
  • Loss prevention
  • Resource planning and monitoring

Module 3: Sales, Stock & Service

  • Merchandising throughout retail operations
  • Sales & promotions
  • Supporting performance monitoring
  • Effective selling techniques
  • Understanding product features & benefits
  • Stock management

Module 4: Marketing & Communications

  • Brand positioning
  • Competitor analysis
  • Marketing activities & plans
  • Communicating & cascading information
  • Information gathering & reporting
  • Communicating to a diverse audience

Module 5: Technology for Retail

  • Tech requirements for business
  • Understanding efficient operations & service
  • Used & emerging technology

Moule 6: Personal & Team Performance

  • Personal & professional development requirements
  • Team motivation
  • Knowledge sharing/exchange
  • Understanding team dynamics
  • Developing excellent team performance

Module 7: EPA Prep

  • To ensure apprentices are ready for Gateway and EPA 
  • Assessments aligned with EPA requirements 
  • Project with presentation and questioning 
  • Professional discussion with portfolio

Visual Merchandising integrated across the programme:​

  • Understanding modern visual merchandising trends
  • Visual merchandising and the brand
  • Retail-focused visual merchandising techniques
  • Visual merchandising techniques to drive commercial KPIs
  • Customer insights and the customer journey in a visual merchandising context
  • The multichannel visual merchandising experience
  • Visual merchandising standards
  • Using data to inform visual merchanising approach
  • Mannequin dressing techniques

End-point assessment

For the Level 3 Visual Merchandising Retail Team Leader apprenticeship, end-point assessment is provided by EFI Awards. EPA typically takes 3 months to complete.

EPA includes Written Exam, Retail Business Project and Professional Discussion​.

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It’s a true collaboration between two organisations that, at their heart, have in common creating opportunities and opening doors for young people.

Andy, Director of Buying Operations, TJX Europe