I was skeptical of VM courses after hearing a few 'horror' stories that they perhaps didn't offer a 'real-life view' of what the VM industry involved, however after asking Ron a few questions I had almost decided to put on my mature-age cap, pull out the crayola's and apply for this course myself!
JT- What is the VM course you are offering?
RW- The VM course at Kangan is a Diploma of Visual Merchandising. There is as yet, no higher level of VM qualification in the country.
JT- How does your course differ to other VM courses out there?
RW- There are two major differences between the Kangan course and the others:
1. It is eighteen months long and the others are two years.
2. During this time the students will have at least ten weeks work experience, in store, working as a professional.
Its the "new kid on the block" as far as VM education goes in the country.
JT- What can the students expect over their 3 semesters?
RW- A life changing experience. Lots of creative hands-on work, exposure to the global scene of Art, Design and VM, sensible structures that enable one to manage life, work, creativity and money!
FUN, great colleagues and introductions to industry professionals.
JT- How does your course 'realistically' prepare the students for the real world of retail?
RW- Our aim from the very first day is to treat the students as if they were at work.
Every lesson, skill and body of knowledge targets professionalism at an international level.
With the largest component of VM work experience of any course internationally, our students soon see the realities of the profession.There are few delusions as to what they are getting themselves into after graduation.
JT- So, what's next for this VM course to help prepare aspiring VM's for a successful career?
RW- There are very exciting plans for the future. Kangan is a very supportive learning environment which readily embraces new ideas and approaches. The future should see a complete career path for those beginning in a VM life and higher qualifications for those already working as professionals.
The course is young, but the world is big, busy and shopping!
A course of this type will eventually have an international reputation and the opportunity to involve the students in colleges in the USA and London.
