The many shades of success

In the fast paced world of interior decorating and display (IDD), if you’re lucky, opportunity (and clients) come a knockin’ on your door more than once in a lifetime. Yet, even the most accomplished IDD entrepreneurs can attest that opportunity’s visits are sporadic; so when the sweet sound of success pounds on your door, you better answer it!

Since its creation in 1995, the West Island Career Centre (WICC) (13700 Pierrefonds Blvd.) has based their approach to diversified curriculum on the fact that trade skills are in high demand. Its various, government sponsored programs range from automobile mechanics and computerized accounting, all the way to professional cooking. With motor oil and extra virgin olive oil sparking an already glowing interest in these programs, potential students might forget about another vocational study program (D.E.P) that has launched successful careers in its medium since 1987: Interior Decorating and Display. This intensive, 1,800 hour course, originally offered through Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School, is now under the wide wing of WICC. With its combination of knowledgeable teachers with both backgrounds and businesses in interior decorating and display, this challenging and rewarding program has since taken flight.

“In our community we often think that trades are dead end jobs. They’re not. They provide opportunities that are unlimited,” said Glen Colwell, WICC's director.

Walking into the classroom of accomplished interior decorator, Sharon Holden, only proves that alternative learning techniques strongly appeal to aspiring decorators who want their time spent at WICC to be dominated by hands-on skill building, not hours of lecture and theory. As a result, design technologies such as Auto-Cad, 3-D drawing and sketching classes are being updated, so that WICC's students are never left out of the loop. “I find the (current) students much stronger,” said Holden, referring to the varying capabilities of the classes she’s seen in the 10 years she’s taught IDD.

The surprising opportunity for networking that these types of programs also offer, aids its students in furthering their creative, self-motivated careers. Often, its guest speakers are former students who have found their niche in the demanding enterprise of décor and display.

As for the relationships between the students and teachers, there is a sense of shared community and encouragement that you just can’t find in most auditoriums and lecture halls, “They take time out of their careers to teach us. They are very passionate.” said 24-year-old student, Elizabeth Breck, of her teachers.

“Many creative people come to this program with the intention of working for themselves, or someone after,” Colwell added.

Jesse Rae Cyr, 18, is a shining example of a skilled apprentice in the 16-month Interior Decorating and Design program. She is attending the course for a well rounded education, in tangent with pursuing her passion for cabinet making. Rae believes it is a rare occasion to feel one hundred percent supported by her instructors and peers, “We’re like sisters in this class; we’re working side by side.” Rae said. Her desk mate, Shannon Parker also enjoys the bonds that she has created in the program and the future prospects it presents to her, “You can get a lot of different jobs and their very diverse.” Parker noted.

Young women at the peek of their future job search, like Parker, have the opportunity to branch out into a number of fulfilling career paths, whether it be specializing in window treatments, negotiating their own interior decorating contracts or working for commercial sales projects, to name a few.

But age is not the central issue at WICC, since mature students are constantly enrolling in their programs to brush up on their work skills, or take the plunge into the career they were always wanted about but never had the chance to pursue until now. Such is the case for Sheila Smith, a student of Holden’s IDD class. As a teen, Smith claims she didn’t have the funds to go to college, but the idea of décor had always piqued her curiosity. WICC has given her the opportunity to backtrack and seek those essential skills that can further her career spectrum. As an added bonus, the decorating skills she’ll acquire after the 1,800 hours dedicated to the course, will also help her spruce up her living room, as a professional do-it-yourself-er, “ I just bought a house two years ago. I want to fix it up and make sure that I know the colours match” Smith added with a smile.

For more information on WICC registration requirements, programs and fees, check www.pearsonskills.com or call 514-732-7766.