Apprentice – Further Information

The Fashion and Textiles Apprenticeship programme has been designed to address the key skills issues in the sector. As few companies offer training in house and only a few colleges are delivering the right skills to young people, this programme delivers accredited, relevant training across five different pathways, of which Apparel is just one.

The Apparel Apprenticeship in Fashion and Textiles is suitable for jobs in production and manufacturing, below are some examples of apprentice posts, but is not exclusive

 Garment Technologist

 Fabric Technologist

 Pattern And Grading Technologist

 First And Seal Coster

 First And Alterations Pattern Cutter

 Grader

 Sample Machinist

 Quality Controller

 Finisher

 Trainee And Apprentice Tailors / Dressmakers

 

If you are interested in a different pathway – Leathergoods, Tailoring, Footwear, or Textiles – please email apprenticeships@skillset.org or call 0207 904 0967

 

WHAT IS THE FASHION AND TEXTILE APPAREL ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIP?

Most Apprenticeships have a set format – which consists of a competence element, a knowledge element, employee rights and responsibilities and functional skills (maths and English)

FRAMEWORK

LEARNING ON THE JOB

Apprentices learn in the work place, with an agreed amount of time off site with the training provider, for functional skills for example. Whilst on business premises, the apprentice will be carrying out his or her normal job duties, alongside understanding and gaining new company specific skills and techniques.

Assessment takes place regularly by the training provider both on and off the work site. To successfully pass the programme a portfolio of learning and experience is compiled by the apprentice and assessor or training provider and is normally completed within 24 months.

THE UNITS OF LEARNING

The Apprenticeship programme is flexible, with a choice of units and endorsed pathways mapped to job roles, so that training can be adapted according to individual company needs.

The competence qualification is the NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) and has the flexibility for companies to ensure relevant and business specific skills are attained. For the Apparel Apprenticeship, the NVQ is the Certificate in Apparel Manufacturing Technology, which consists of 3 mandatory units on managing health and safety, maintaining a work area and maintaining quality levels.

In addition to the mandatory units, the company and apprentice need to choose a minimum of 4 units from the following choice:

1. GARMENT TECHNOLOGY

– Monitoring the production and construction of garments

– Maintaining technical documents, including final production specifications

– Outsourcing production

– Investigating marketing, materials and styles

– Assessing customer requirements

– Planning apparel production schedules

2. PATTERN AND GRADING TECHNOLOGIST

– Assessing designs

– Producing blocks, patterns, prototypes, lay plans, sample patterns and apparel products

– Producing final product specifications

– Planning product specifications

– Assessing customer requirements

3. HANDCRAFT GARMENT MAKER

– Assembling garments for fitting

– Fit/ re-cut garments to customer specifications

– Constructing and adapting patterns

– Lay up, mark in and cut materials

– Producing final product specification and construction of samples

– Assessing customer requirements

4. SAMPLE MACHINIST

– Solving quality issues

– Providing technical feedback

– Measuring, handling and producing garments to requirements

– Investigating markets and styles

– Planning schedules, producing final specifications, assembling samples

– Assessing customer requirements

The knowledge based qualification, also known as the technical certificate is the Diploma in Apparel Footwear or Leather Production. This qualification includes the employee rights and responsibilities, managing ones’ own working relationships, understanding materials and techniques used in the manufacture of apparel as mandatory units of learning. In addition to these, a learner must take one of the following units:

– Production Management

– Aspects of the Design Industry

– Professional Practice / Preparation for Employment in the industry

– Managing Customer Relations

– Buying (import/ export) in the industry

– Supervisory Management and Team Leadership

– Manufacturing techniques within Apparel Production

– Managing information in the industry

RECRUITMENT

Apprentices can be recruited from existing members of staff or through normal company recruitment channels.

The National Apprenticeship Service (www.apprenticeships.org.uk), also offer an apprentice matching service, for more information visit the website or call 0207 904 0967.

Apprentices should ideally be aged between 16 and 25 years of age, up to 30 years of age, depending on the employer. Some experience in industry or industry related training is preferable and providers will require proof of prior learning and experience up to a specific level, this is dependent on each provider.

But the most important criteria are passion and ability to learn at Level 3.

Apprentices will be interviewed in a similar way to any job recruitment process, in partnership with the training provider, to ensure the candidates’ suitability for the programme as well as the position advertised.

Apprenticeships do not have hard and fast rules on recruitment – they are about nurturing talent and potential and encouraging skills development in individuals.

WHAT DO EMPLOYERS HAVE TO DO?

The commitment to apprenticeships is not one to be taken lightly – Apprenticeships are a long term workforce development option.

Employers will commit to contracting their apprentices for the minimum period of training (between 18 months and 2 years) and to pay the minimum apprentice wage. Supporting both the training and general learning is vital, with the potential of a full time post being offered at the end of the programme.

WHAT TRAINING PROVIDERS HAVE TO DO?

London has two unique training provider partnerships in place between sector specialists with years of experience and colleges of Further Education.

As such, the training providers will be responsible for establishing a strong partnership between the employer and apprentice, including supporting the apprentice through the training.

In London there are currently two partnerships who will be offering the Apparel Apprenticeship:

1. Fashion Enter and College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CHENEL) – AVAILABLE FROM JANUARY 2011

2. Fashionworks and Waltham Forest College – launch date to be confirmed

 

THE NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP SERVICE

The National Apprenticeship Service offers you free and impartial support to:

 Identify how this Framework and specialist Pathways can meet your needs

 Find a suitable position to apply for through the online recruitment service

 Find the suitable training organisation

For more information on the National Apprenticeship Service, see www.apprenticeships.gov.uk or call on 0207 904 0967

HOW MUCH?

The apprentice status is one of an employee and the statutory amount set by government for an apprentice is approximately £100 / week. However, in London the average Apprentice wage is £170/week, or an annual cost of £8,800.

Training costs can vary according to age, prior learning or experience and other factors. In most circumstances, an apprentice will not be expected to pay or contribute toward training costs.