The Factory Welcomes ASOS and The Prince’s Trust
16-05-2013
The ASOS Foundation has delivered 5 Prince’s Trust Get Started with Fashion’ programmes over the last 4 years. The programme helps to give unemployed young people the skills and confidence they need to move into work, training or education.
It also explores many varied roles available in the fashion sector while helping young people to build personal and social skills and gain new qualifications.
Success stories from the programme include placements and job opportunities with Burberry, a tailoring apprenticeship in Saville Row, while many have gone on to various fashion courses.
One young person temped with ASOS and excelled to a position with the ASOS buying team. As a result, she won the HPFlying Start award at The Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success awards in London and the South East.
The Trust’s ‘Get Started with Fashion’ programme, delivered by ASOS, provides life-changing opportunities for many young adults which compliments FashionCapital’s company ethos perfectly. At the beginning of May 13 individuals from the programme were invited to an afternoon tour of the FashionCapital Factory and talked through the various stages of production from design to finished garment. Led by MD Jenny Holloway the tour gave insight into the industry and how an apprenticeship can help achieve a key position in fashion for the future.
In response to the talk and tour attendee Sarah said:
“I have learnt to stay true to my ambition and not give up! Grab opportunities and run with them, make the most of what I can get and push for more. Getting into fashion doesn’t seem so impossible without a degree.”
Lucia added: “I learnt that the fashion industry isn’t just about being a designer or a model. There is a lot more to it and I would love to start at the bottom and build myself up!”
A spokesperson from The Prince’s Trust comments on the programme:
“We are extremely grateful to Fashion Capital for providing the visit to The Factory. It was been a fantastic experience for all the young people involved and they have all come away extremely inspired.
“There are currently almost one in four young people struggling to find work in London. Now more than ever we need to give them the support they need to get a job.
“The Get Started with Fashion course is a great way of engaging young people through fashion, while helping them to develop new skills and giving them the confidence boost they need.”
ASOS Community Manager, Cressida Dimmock adds:
“I wanted to thank you (FashionCapital) for arranging the visit to The Factory for the Prince’s Trust group last week. It was such a brilliant afternoon and the whole group came away talking about how inspired and excited they were.”
Youth charity The Prince’s Trust supports 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion. Three in four young people helped by The Trust moved into work, training or education. It needs to raise almost £1m a week to continue its vital work.
To find out more about the ‘Get Started with Fashion Programme’ visit:
http://www.asosplc.com/responsibility/community/partnerships.aspx
Notes to editors:
About The Prince’s Trust
Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps disadvantaged young people to get their lives on track. It supports 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion. Many of the young people helped by The Prince’s Trust are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness or mental health problems, or they have been in trouble with the law. The Trust’s programmes give vulnerable young people the practical and financial support needed to stabilise their lives, helping develop self-esteem and skills for work. Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust move into work, education or training. The Prince of Wales’s charity has helped more than 700,000 young people since 1976 and supports 100 more each day. Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842.
