VELMA

The abbreviation VELMA stands for the "Verband lizenzierter Modellagenturen e.V." (Association of Licensed Model Agencies). The organization was founded in 1992 and is based in Munich.

The Association of Licensed Model Agencies is the point of contact for the agencies it represents and their models. It is particularly committed to the protection of employee rights in the course of the placement of models. According to its own description, three maxims are particularly important:

• Responsibility

• qualification

• integrity

The association's website states: "VELMA members are committed to serious, responsible, qualified and honest model placement." VELMA supports its members by providing advice and important information. The association maintains contact with authorities and other associations involved in recruitment work. Public relations work and cooperation with relevant political bodies are also part of VELMA's remit.

The modeling business is a very fast-moving one with extremely short-term employment relationships. Career planning is correspondingly difficult, especially for new faces. In addition, the placement of models is permitted even without proven qualifications.

It is therefore difficult for up-and-coming models without relevant experience to find their way in the industry. The Association of Licensed Model Agencies can help here thanks to the experience and contacts of its board members.

Another sensitive point is the average age of models, especially newcomers. Fresh faces are often even still underage. In this difficult environment, the agencies and VELMA represent a reliable point of contact that stands by the (young) models in difficult situations.

Safeguarding the rights of employees and employers is extremely important for a functioning industry, which is why we at Jobwork cooperate closely with VELMA.

The board of the Association of Licensed Model Agencies currently consists of Norbert Hansen, the chairman with sole power of representation, Heidi Groß and Oliver Seeden. Hansen used to run a photo studio himself and founded an agency in Düsseldorf ("No Toys") together with former model Sylvia Berger in 1990. He is therefore very familiar with the processes within the fashion industry.

Groß runs an agency in Hamburg ("Model Management"), which also looks after plus-size models. Seeden also runs an agency in Hamburg ("PMA"). All three agencies are members of VELMA.

The Association of Licensed Model Agencies provides people interested in a modeling career with important information on how to apply. The following questions are answered on the website:

• Where do I apply?

• What requirements must applicants fulfill (age, height, etc.)?

• What information must an application contain?

• What happens after an application has been submitted?