Fashion Enter and the Apprenticeship Programme

 

The Fashion and Textiles Apprenticeship is a unique combination of training and career specific work experience over an 18 month period. The apprentice will be working with one employer for the entire course therefore providing an opportunity for both the employer and the individual to develop a long and sustainable relationship. Graduates from University are continuing to struggle to secure jobs post degree due to the sea of competition and lack of available jobs on offer, however with the Apprenticeship scheme, the potential of continuing with the employer engaged with over the year and a half after completing the qualification is much greater.

 

The fashion industry offers a broad range of roles, and as University graduates are leaving FE and HE not necessarily possessing the appropriate skills to perform certain jobs, the fashion industry has seen an aging demographic of workers with an evident lack of fresh blood entering the production sector. These are highly skilled and sustainable roles that require fulfilling and the Apprenticeship programme provides this direct route.

 

The following careers can be a direct transition from the scheme:

 

• 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

The first cohort of 15 is set to start in January 2011 and will spend 4 days with the employer and 1 day in a learning environment. Fashion Enter is specialising in the Apparel aspect of the qualification covering the following mandatory units:

 

–        Managing Heath and Safety  and Employment Rights and Responsibilities

–        Managing Quality Standards

–        Managing Own Working Relationships

 

And a selection of three of the following Optional Units:

 

–        Manufacturing Techniques

–        Production Management within the Apparel Industry

–        Materials use in the Manufacture of Apparel

–        Aspects of Design within Apparel

–        Professional Practice / Preparation for Employment

–        Managing Customer Relations

–        Garment Production – Tailored Garments

–        Garment Cutting – Tailored Garments

 

The minimum entry requirement to gain access to the qualification is 4 C grades at GCSE level, the equivalent or professional experience and be committed to the interview process.

 

If you would like to embark on this exciting new educational opportunity as an apprentice or an employer, please contact apprenticeships@skillset.org