Mountain Warehouse Select Their Garment Tech Apprentice
07-09-2024
The Garment Tech team from Mountain Warehouse recently (23rd January) hosted an assessment day at The Factory in the search for their first Garment Technologist Apprentice. The group of shortlisted candidates were invited to meet the team and take part in various assessment tasks.
Mountain Warehouse, founded in 1997 recently announced their figures and bucking the current high street trend of poor profits and closures, revenues had climbed 12% to £84.7million in 13 weeks and they continue to open new stores across the UK and internationally.
Looking to expand their garment tech department they approached the Fashion Technology Academy to recruit an apprentice that would join the 18-month Level 3 programme where they spend four-days-a-week with their employer and one-day-a week training for the qualification.
Mountain Warehouse produce a wide range of clothing including menswear, womenswear, childrenswear and equipment including ski gear, camping and sportswear. The apprenticeship role would involve working closely alongside senior garment technologists and buyers to contribute to the improvement of their product quality and development – a fantastic opportunity for the right person!
After hundreds of applications the Fashion Technology Academy selected five candidates to attend the first stage assessment with the Mountain Warehouse team. The candidates were put through their paces and after listening to presentations on who Mountain Warehouse is, what the apprenticeship programme entails and the role of a garment technologist they were set practical group tasks, a maths test and a one-to-one interview.
The group task was assessed by the team to see who had strong communication skills, who thought practically and logically and who presented back to the group confidently. The task was to think of themselves as technologists for NASA and design a new Mars Rover. They were provided with empty cartons, cardboard, paper, string and glue and worked together in teams to discuss how they would approach the design, and what they should consider in terms of functionality rather than how pretty it looks! A great task for budding technologists!
Following the task each candidate had the opportunity to talk about their experience so far, why they think they are right for the role and what attracted them to Mountain Warehouse in a one-to-one interview.
A second stage interview then took place the following week at Mountain Warehouse HQ and the FTA are pleased to announce that Gabby Howell has been selected for the post.
Gabby said: “I was reading about being a fashion apprentice on FashionCapital and I had never heard of garment technology. So I started to research the job and I loved it. It involves knowing how to make a garment right with fabric and make up. Making sure it fits correctly and where it’s made.
“I applied for the Mountain Warehouse job and I researched all I could. The more I read about the company the more I wanted the job. It’s a family business and it has grown so much and doing very well with more store openings. The interview process was very thorough but that just makes you want the job more and more.
“I am so happy I was the one picked for the job. I know the other two that went on to the final interview were also very good so I feel really lucky. I am going to make garment technology my career with Mountain Warehouse and I will not let them down. I think more and more people of my age should think about apprenticeships because it’s the start of a real career and you can get qualified by going to college one day a week. Also want to say thank-you to both Jenny’s at Fashion Enter as they were always there if I had a question. I can’t wait to start.”
Good luck Gabby, we wish you every success at Mountain Warehouse!
To view the latest fashion apprenticeship posts available please click here.
