If you’re considering a career in retail, you may be wondering whether to attend an academy or a training program. While these two methods can provide similar training, they do have differences. The difference between the two is often based on cost and location. Some programs may cost more and some may be more affordable. However, the value of education and training is not lost if you go to a traditional college or university.
Prada Group’s Academy
Prada Group’s Academy is a global program that trains young professionals to work in the company’s retail stores. The Academy is based in Italy with 18 plants in Italy and one plant in the UK, France, and Romania. Its mission is to share knowledge across its network and develop the talent of the next generation. Prada’s Craftsmanship School was developed to impart expertise and knowledge to new artisans. It offers both theoretical and practical training in raw materials. It also offers training tracks for corporate and retail staff.
The Academy seeks to develop the ‘human value’ in its employees by imparting professional expertise. In addition to this, the Prada Group has recently announced that it will set up an Advisory Council for diversity and inclusion. The group is also planning to launch the UNFPA Education Module and Prada + Dorchester Industries Experimental Design Lab. In addition, the Prada Group is aiming to hire individuals with developmental delays into its retail network in Italy.
The Prada Group has also become the main sponsor of the IMLux Master’s program. This dual degree course was designed in collaboration with the Neoma Business School and the MIP Politecnico di Milano university. This program teaches students the basics of luxury goods management and prepares them for wider roles. The program is taught in English and is taught in Milan and Reims. Besides this, the program focuses on luxury tourism, interior design, and wine.
The Prada Group has also set bigger goals for its employees and the environment. The company has vowed to use regenerated nylon by 2020 and has committed to using it in its production. The group also plans to conduct experiments to find eco-friendly alternatives to leather, which is not easily replaced. And Prada is also collaborating with scientists to develop more eco-friendly materials. Its sustainability goals are quite ambitious.
Walmart’s Academy
The Walmart academy is a global learning facility that will train employees across the company. This learning center will provide a combination of online and in-store training. More than 2.3 million associates will have access to job-specific training, including leadership and well-being courses. The program builds on the company’s recent investment of more than $1 billion in career-driven training and development. The academy will be open to associates at all levels of the company, from store associates to department managers.
One of the differences between the two is the type of training offered. The academy is designed for newly-promoted associates and transitioning associates. The academy teaches the skills needed to supervise other associates and understand the problems workers face in their jobs. It also teaches employees how to run a department like a small business. It is designed to instill the Wal-Mart culture in its vast workforce.
Another difference between Walmart’s Academy and other trainings programs is the way the training is delivered. The Academy is designed for in-depth learning, and participants spend half of their time in classrooms and half on the sales floor. In the classroom, students use advanced learning technology, including tablets and virtual reality machines. While on the sales floor, students are given tasks and are encouraged to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world situations. This approach is more effective and ensures that associates are more engaged and retain the skills they learned during the training.
The Walmart Academy offers training for associates in various positions. Its courses are held for two to six weeks and require full-time attendance. Participants are provided with realistic scenarios that mimic real-world situations, allowing them to experience how customers are likely to behave in these situations. As a result, the Academy is an effective training program. And unlike other training programs for retail, it helps associates build advanced skills and retain knowledge.
Although the cost of the program is comparable to other trainings, the quality of the classroom experience is far superior. Students are encouraged to ask questions and research the material, which makes the course more engaging. Additionally, the students earn $15 an hour, have a 401(k), and are eligible for bonuses. Guile was recommended by a former store manager. With the assistant store manager job comes a salary of $170,000 a year.
STRIVR’s Academy
A virtual reality simulation offers a number of benefits for businesses in the retail industry, including the ability to create and run simulations of complex situations such as busy Black Friday sales. Unlike a traditional training course, a VR simulation can help employees learn how to handle difficult situations in a safe and realistic environment. Moreover, it can help them practice customer service skills, such as handling tough conversations with co-workers.
STRIVR’s VR training uses headsets linked to a video screen in the classroom and immerses trainees in scenarios that would be difficult to recreate in a traditional store. For example, a trainee might be asked to find a spill in a Walmart store and answer questions related to the spill. This training is a powerful way to increase employee productivity. The training can also be used for other kinds of training, such as for management and customer service.
Walmart, for example, has begun using VR training at their own stores. The company has partnered with STRIVR, which recently launched a pilot program in thirty training centers. Walmart and STRIVR worked closely to choose which VR experiences are the best for training purposes. Eventually, Walmart plans to deploy its training program in every single store. As the technology advances, more companies are following suit.
STRIVR is a pioneer in virtual reality training and immersive consumer experiences. The company has partnered with professional sports organizations such as the US Soccer and PGA Tour to create customized VR experiences for consumers. It has also used VR to develop behind-the-scenes experiences for sports events and professional sports. It has also developed training programs for employees who work in retail. STRIVR has used a variety of devices to develop its VR experiences.
Community colleges
While the recent trend toward low-barrier job training is generally hailed as a positive development, some critics argue that such programs might discourage students from pursuing a degree or advanced certificate. Regardless of the benefits of low-barrier job training, it is always best to pursue higher education if possible, thereby improving their chances of economic mobility. For example, Maine has benefited from short-term workforce training programs for decades, despite a critical labor shortage that has hampered its economic recovery.
One advantage of career-focused training programs is that they typically last just a few months, depending on the specialty. By contrast, an Associate’s degree in community college typically requires two years. This makes community colleges a viable alternative for fast-track education. However, some community college courses do not have the same value as those offered by training programs. In addition to teaching English, math, and science, community colleges also offer courses that may be less useful for a specific career.
Another benefit of community college workforce trainings over trade school degrees is affordability. Community colleges are more affordable than other types of postsecondary institutions, and many of their retail training programs are free. And because they are mostly free, many students can afford them. Ultimately, the right choice for you depends on your goals and the skills you want to develop. This guide outlines what to look for in community college training programs and what to expect when comparing two different options.
Another difference between an academy and a training program is the level of education. Some people have a higher level of education than others. Typically, an associate degree requires two years of schooling. Alternatively, a diploma can take two to three years. Community colleges offer a variety of programs for retail professionals, including certification and associate degrees. However, there are also training programs that are available in high schools. For non-graduate students, they might consider taking a course through a community college’s marketing education program.
Cost. Another important factor in deciding between an academy and training program is the cost. A community college program will cost a fraction of the price of a four-year university. For example, a resident of Washington will pay $4,100 for tuition and fees at North Seattle College while a student at the University of Washington–Seattle will pay over $12,000 a year.
