This unit may apply to personnel engaged in a visual merchandiser job role. It requires the team member to demonstrate an understanding of workplace policies and legislation regarding work availability and rosters, work duties, and relevant awards or agreements. Demonstrated understanding of the role and function of visual merchandisers, the specific workplace culture, inclusive behaviour, effective management of personal presentation, hygiene, and time; and ability to efficiently prioritise and complete tasks under instruction are also required.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Develop knowledge of visual merchandising in the retail and exhibition industries.

1.1

Access relevant sources of information to differentiate between the job functions of visual merchandisers.

1.2

Define the relationship between visual merchandising and retailing according to common industry practice.

2

Determine roles and responsibilities in a visual merchandising work environment.

2.1

Recognise and accurately describe organisational culture and structure.

2.2

Identify and compare the roles of retail organisation-based and freelance visual merchandisers in the context of typical specific responsibilities.

2.3

Identify common career paths and employment opportunities for visual merchandisers.

3

Work effectively in a visual merchandising environment.

3.1

Provide notification of shift availability, non-attendance for shift given without undue delay and according to organisation policy and procedures.

3.2

Interpret staff rosters accurately.

3.3

Display non-discriminatory attitudes when interacting with clients, staff or management.

3.4

Identify and accurately interpret relevant awards or agreements.

3.5

Identify and analyse role of employee and employer associations in the industrial relations system.

4

Maintain personal presentation.

4.1

Maintain personal dress and presentation in a neat and tidy manner.

4.2

Maintain personal hygiene according to store policy and legislation.

5

Follow routine instructions.

5.1

Receive and act upon instructions.

5.2

Use effective questioning to elicit information.

5.3

Assess, comprehend and act upon workplaceinformation relevant to the particular task.

5.4

Plan and organise daily work routine within the scope of the job role.

5.5

Prioritise and complete tasks without undue delay.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

ability to identify and access relevant sources of information

ability to follow store policy and procedures

maintaining personal presentation

interpersonal communication skills to:

follow routine instructions through clear and direct communication

ask questions to identify and confirm requirements

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret non-verbal communication

literacy skills in reading and interpreting workplace documents

working within and setting timelines and priorities

ability to work as a team member and as an individual.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

store policy and procedures in regard to:

shift availability for non-attendance

staff rosters

non-discriminatory behaviour

harassment

equal opportunity issues

part-time, casual, full-time work and contract employment

store organisational structure and personal reporting line

structure of the retail industry

retail industry visual merchandising training options

rights and responsibilities of employers and employees in a retail workplace

relevant legislative and statutory requirements, such as:

equal opportunity legislation

equal employment opportunity (EEO) legislation

anti-discrimination legislation

workplace relations

industry awards or agreements.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

demonstrates knowledge of the place and function of visual merchandising in the retail and exhibition industries

demonstrates ability to differentiate between the retail visual merchandising components listed in the performance criteria

applies store policy and procedures responsibly in regard to workplace ethics, including interpretation of staff rosters, notification of the availability for work, allocated duties and job description

applies organisation policy and procedures and legislative requirements in regard to external and internal client contact, especially the use of non-discriminatory language and attitudes

knows employee rights and responsibilities in regard to awards and agreements

identifies and describes the role of various parties, including employee and employer associations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

a real or simulated work environment

relevant documentation, such as:

store or sample policy and procedures in regard to workplace ethics

store or sample job descriptions and organisational charts

store or sample policy and procedures in regard to the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees in the workplace

awards or agreements

legislation on equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity (EEO) and anti-discrimination.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of performance in the workplace

a simulated retail illustration project environment

third-party reports from a supervisor

customer feedback

answers to questions about specific skills and knowledge

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Assessing employability skills

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically in the context of the job role and with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Relevant sources of information may include:

media

reference books

libraries

unions

industry associations

industry publications

internet

information services

personal observation and experience

colleagues, supervisors and managers

industry contacts, mentors and advisers.

Job functions of visual merchandisers may include:

store planning and design

sourcing and installing fixtures and fittings

using visual merchandising technology

merchandise presentation

display (in store and windows)

retail visual merchandising team membership

project management

team leadership

freelance visual merchandising

exhibition display

event themes and display.

Organisational culture may include:

organisational structure, including own position and role within the structure

chain of command

workplace policy and procedures

organisational values

mission statement

workplace goals.

Typical specific responsibilities may include:

store planning and design

sourcing and installing fixtures and fittings

using visual merchandising technology

merchandise presentation

display (in store and windows)

retail visual merchandising team membership

project management

team leadership

freelance visual merchandising

exhibition display

event themes and display.

Organisation policy and procedures may include:

workplace ethics

modes of communication

working hours

store hours of operation

completing work out of hours

contact with customers

job descriptions and responsibilities

interaction with other team members

interaction with supervision and management

OHS.

Non-discriminatory attitudes must include no discrimination related to:

age

race

colour

national or ethnic origin

gender

pregnancy or marital status

disability

religion

sexual preference.

Clients, staff or management may include:

new or repeat contacts

external and internal contacts

customers with routine or special requests

people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

people who have varying degrees of language and literacy levels

other staff members

supervisors

managers.

Legislation may include:

OHS

industry codes of practice

licence, patent or copyright arrangements

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission provisions

Trade Practices and Fair Trading Acts.

Workplaceinformation may include:

written or verbal information

design briefs

store plans

enterprise visual merchandising manuals

sale, promotion and event briefings.

Daily work routine may include:

interacting with clients and customers

interacting with supervisors and other staff members

participating in visual merchandising teams

leading visual merchandising teams

working alone on visual merchandising projects

organising and maintaining work areas

maintaining merchandise and displays

designing displays

installing retail display areas (in store and windows)

designing and installing exhibition and event displays

photographic styling

observing scheduled breaks

assisting other team members

working within required timelines.

Tasks may be:

routine tasks

rostered tasks

non-routine tasks.

Sector

Retail

Working in Industry - Retail

The required outcomes described in this unit contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.