Hiring and Sponsoring Visual merchandisers and related occupations (SOC Code 7125)

Visual Merchandisers and Related Occupations, classified under SOC Code 7125, are essential professionals who play a key role in enhancing the shopping experience through effective product presentation and promotional displays. 

• Responsibilities include:
  • Consulting with advertising and sales staff to optimize product displays and promotions.
  • Implementing plans provided by display designers or managers, or creatively developing ideas for merchandise display and window dressing.
  • Preparing areas for new displays, constructing or assembling them using various materials, and dismantling older displays to return merchandise to departments.
  • Providing valuable feedback about display effectiveness to managers and designers.

With the increasing importance of visual appeal in retail, the demand for skilled visual merchandisers is on the rise. Employers, including retail chains and creative agencies, are actively seeking talented individuals, making it crucial for HR professionals to understand the hiring and sponsorship processes under the UK's immigration system. This guide will assist you in these efforts.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Visual merchandisers and related occupations?

SOC Code 7125 refers to visual merchandisers and related occupations who focus on optimizing product displays to enhance customer engagement and drive sales. Their responsibilities can include:

• Consulting with advertising and sales staff: Advising retailers on the best practices for product display and promotional strategies to attract customers.
• Implementing display plans: Executing concepts from display designers or managers, ensuring a cohesive and appealing merchandise presentation.
• Developing display ideas: Creating innovative plans for merchandise display or window dressing that reflect the brand's image and appeal to the target audience.
• Preparing display areas: Setting up spaces for new displays, utilizing various materials to create eye-catching arrangements.
• Dismantling existing displays: Carefully taking down old displays and returning merchandise to the appropriate departments to maintain organization.
• Providing feedback: Offering insights and evaluations of displays to managers and designers to improve future presentations.

Visual merchandisers play a vital role in retail environments, influencing consumer behavior, enhancing the shopping experience, and contributing to the overall success of sales strategies.

Eligibility to Hire Visual merchandisers and related occupations (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Visual merchandisers seeking opportunities in retail must demonstrate their skills and meet specific qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Portfolio of work: A collection of previous visual merchandising projects showcasing creativity and effective product presentation.
• Experience: Proven experience in visual merchandising, including previous roles in retail or advertising environments.
• Skills: Strong understanding of visual design principles, spatial awareness, and the ability to create eye-catching displays that enhance product visibility.
• Collaboration: Ability to consult with advertising and sales staff effectively, taking into account promotions and marketing strategies during the design process.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in the construction and assembly of displays, utilizing various materials, tools, and techniques as necessary.
• Education: While formal education may not be mandatory, a degree or coursework in marketing, design, or a related field can be advantageous.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 7125 and that the candidate’s experience and work meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Visual merchandisers and related occupations: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Visual merchandisers and related occupations under SOC Code 7125.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Visual merchandisers and related occupations, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Visual merchandisers and related occupations under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Visual merchandisers and related occupations. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Visual merchandisers and related occupations applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Visual merchandisers and related occupations’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Visual merchandisers and related occupations can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Visual merchandisers and related occupations

Before the Visual merchandisers and related occupations begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Visual merchandisers and related occupations’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Visual merchandisers and related occupations holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Visual merchandisers and related occupations’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Visual merchandisers and related occupations’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Visual merchandisers and related occupationss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Visual merchandisers and related occupations

Sponsoring Visual merchandisers and related occupations under SOC Code 7125 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Visual merchandisers and related occupations, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Visual merchandisers and related occupations under SOC Code 7125 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.