New Fashion Retail Academy Announced!

 

 

 

It will be supported by Philip Green, owner of BHS and the Arcadia Group, who found his £10m sponsorship matched by government.  Education Secretary Ruth Kelly said that the academy aims to “promote fashion retail as a career, and will deliver a flow of young people to the industry with excellent skill”. 

 

The academy will be located in central London on Gresse St, W1, close to Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road, the perfect venue for students to learn in the heart of London’s fashion retail district.  The academy will work closely with the London College of Fashion, offering places to 60 students aged between 16 and 18 a year, with aims to increase the intake to 350.  Mr Green says the academy will teach students “fundamental skills” of clothing retail including marketing, finance and fashion-buying.  With the ultimate aim being for students to join established fashion retailers or to go on to run their own businesses within the retail industry.  Mr Green left school aged 16 to sell clothing and now owns top retail stores including Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Burton.

 

 

 

The academy will offer two qualifications:

Year 1 – Certificate of Fashion Retail (equivalent to GCSE)

Year 2 – Diploma of Fashion Retail (equivalent to A-Level)

 

The course will consist of a combination of academic study and work experience with teaching from both qualified lecturers and retailers with inspirational master classes taken by industry heavyweights. Finally work based learning will include visits to suppliers, distribution centres, buying trips and in-store experience.

 

The academy will make its selection based on enthusiasm and interest in fashion, rather than on background and qualifications.

 

To apply:

Visit the Arcadia website www.arcadiagroup.co.uk/recruitment and complete the on-line application form, which will be available from 1^st April 2005.  Good Luck!

 

Stephanie McLaughlin