LVMH unveiled the first edition of its Institut des Métiers d’Excellence vocational training program in Asia in early April.
Launched in partnership with Japan’s Professional Institute of International Fashion and Mode Gakuen, the program is designed to help women back into the workforce and support their career advancement.
Created by LVMH in Paris in 2014, the Institut des Métiers d’Excellence passes on unique savoir-faire in creative, craft and retail professions to new generations and people seeking reskilling opportunities. Since the creation of the IME, 28 programs have been set up in Europe, welcoming nearly 1,000 trainees.
This launch marks the debut of the Métiers d’Excellence initiative in Asia, where Japan will welcome the first edition of this exceptional training program.
The ME (Métiers d’Excellence) LVMH Japan Client Advisor Program kicks off on April 15, welcoming 12 participants from diverse backgrounds. Previous luxury or fashion experience is not a prerequisite. The vocational training content developed by LVMH in partnership with the Professional Institute of International Fashion and Mode Gakuen – managed by the Japan Education Foundation – will enable participants to acquire skills in fashion, cosmetics and watch & jewelry sales. The one-year course includes both theory and practice. In addition to basic fashion and beauty classes, there will be specialized presentations by leaders from Japan and other countries, plus in-store training in customer service and sales techniques with LVMH mentors and experts.
Participants in this first edition of the Institut des Métiers d’Excellence in Japan are exempt from tuition fees and will receive a living allowance during their training. Norbert Leuret, President and CEO of LVMH Japan, welcomed the rollout of the program: “At LVMH, we have always been, and even more so today, very passionate about enabling women to pursue successful professional careers, combined with a healthy work/life balance. Facilitating the return to work for women after an extended leave is thus a priority. At the same time, we constantly want to have new talents in our boutiques, and we want to promote knowledge of our industry among motivated people. Our goal is to keep contributing to Japanese society in general, and to develop the professional itineraries of women, for the benefit of everyone.”
The priority target for this program is women who have had to interrupt their careers for various personal reasons and are eager to rapidly acquire new skills. “In Japan, about two-thirds of working women quit their jobs when they start a family and they are the very first ones to be affected by the economic crisis and restructurings. Though many hope to eventually return to the workplace, it is difficult for them to return to a full-time working environment afterwards. This is why LVMH is launching its Client Advisor Program with the mission of helping Japanese women back into the workforce,” says Stephan Voyer, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, LVMH Japan.
Upon completing their year of classes and training, participants will receive a certificate and have an opportunity to work as client advisors at one of the 12 LVMH Maisons that are partners of the program in Japan: Bvlgari, Celine, Christian Dior Couture, Fendi, Fred, Guerlain, Loewe, Loro Piana, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Parfums Christian Dior and Tag Heuer.
