National Apprenticeship Week #SkillsForLife

Newsletter 8th February 2023

Spotlight on Apprenticeships

For those at the start of their fashion careers an apprenticeship really does offer a fantastic route into what is a notoriously tough industry. As it’s National Apprenticeship Week (6 – 12 February 2023), we at Fashion-Enter Ltd, along with many other apprenticeship providers are celebrating the achievements of apprentices, past and present, to promote the positive impact they make to individuals, communities, businesses, and the wider economy.

Apprenticeships provide real #SkillsForLife that can be utilised in the workplace and to develop careers. As a leading provider for Fashion and Textile apprenticeships we have seen many apprentices gain hands-on, industry skills with employers such as Hobbs, Mountain Warehouse, Next, Margaret Howell, Lyle & Scott and more.

If you are interested in a Fashion and Textile apprenticeship you can find out more about the various pathways here.

Watch this You Tube short about the apprenticeships we provide and how they prepare apprentices with in-demand industry skills.

Fashion-Enter Ltd’s Apprentice of the Year

Every year we award one of our apprentices, that has gone above and beyond, as our ‘Apprentice of the Year’.

Congratulations to…Iona based at our Welsh campus.

Iona comments: “I have enjoyed watching how the experienced machinists sew and getting an understanding how small improvements can have a big impact on your overall performance.”

Would she recommend an apprenticeship? “Yes, most definitely! It gives you skills but also shows you the bigger picture of how an organisation works.”

Apprenticeship Recruitment in Leicester

Over in Leicester, Divya, Educational Assistant Manager at the FCFTA, was at Pegasus House JobCentre to promote apprenticeships. Currently in Leicester we have an apprenticeship position for a Fashion Studio Assistant with more coming soon.

Tap here to view all current vacancies. 

Talking Reusable PPE at the House of Lords

Today, 8th February 2023, at the House of Lords our Patron, Lord Young of Norwood Green put forward the question:

What steps they are taking to encourage NHS Trusts to use British made washable PPE garments with RFI tags that can be laundered 70 times instead of single use garments which go to landfill?

Back in March 2021, Fashion-Enter Ltd with the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust developed a unique DWR polyester treated gown product has been created to provide a sustainable alternative to the disposable one-use gown and allows for the NHS Key Worker to wear and wash the garment up to 70 times. Tap here to read about the PPE garment. Now, two years and several major blunders later, we are asking this question once again!

The response…

It was agreed that reusable PPE does work and that after current stocks of one-use PPE have been used up the government is looking to push forward with domestic production of reusable PPE. This would include incorporating laundry facilities in hospitals and providing staff with up-to-date education and training. Research has shown that reusable PPE saves 180 million per year which could be reinvested elsewhere. The government is looking to achieve net zero targets with new hospitals and the inclusion of reusable PPE is included in that remit.

New: Level 3 Diploma in Fashion Design and Business

If you are interested in launching your own fashion brand, the new UAL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice: Fashion Design and Business course provides an opportunity to explore, develop and extend your creativity with stimulating and challenging study.

This course aims to get students industry-ready with a combination of creative design combined with essential business knowledge. Fashion-Enter Ltd is now enrolling the first cohort of learners for this course starting 24th April 2023 in North London, if you are interested please contact: education@fashion-enter.com

When Two Companies Align – LEYF X FEL

FEL is a sustainability partner with LEYF – London Early Years Foundation. This week, as a part of their ongoing sustainability strategy, LEYF released a video featuring FEL: ‘Where does my apron come from?’

Take a look at this encouraging video with FEL Director Caroline Ash and Technology Manager, Callum Holloway talking about how the two companies strive to do good and embed sustainable practices with the younger generation.

Talking Tech at Innovate UK Event

Tomorrow, 9th February 2023, Innovate UK KTN are delivering a textiles and fashion showcase event at the Henry Royce Institute in Manchester and FEL have been invited to speak on technological innovation and digital modernisation of the fashion and textile industry. More on this next week.

Podcast with the Foundation for Science and Technology

On Monday (13th February) you will be able hear our CEO, Jenny Holloway, on the Foundation for Science and Technology podcast. On the recorded session Jenny discusses the environmental issues within the fashion industry and the possible solutions to lower carbon emissions and pollution.

The podcast will be listed here: https://www.foundation.org.uk/Podcasts

Staff News…

Our CEO Jenny Holloway is now qualified in NCFE Cache Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills. Jenny is adamant to provide a caring and supportive environment for employees and learners at FEL.

A big congratulations to Deniz and Ibrahim (pictured above) on their healthy baby girl named Tomris.

Masterclasses and Courses

Ongoing Stitching, Patterns and Tailoring throughout 2023

13th February: 4 Day Beginners Sewing and Upcycling Workshop SOLD OUT

17th February: Repair and Upcycle Workshop

22nd February: 12 Step Plan to Develop and Create a Fashion Collection including a tour of our Fashion Studio with Jenny Holloway, Claire Solley and Agnes Szepligeti (Free)

25th February: 4 Week Saturday Draping Course

22nd March: UK V’s Overseas Sourcing, Development and Production with Jackie Bertram (Free)

10th April: 4 Day Beginners and Upcycling Workshop

12th April: Gerber Accumark for Beginners

26th April: 10 Strategies to Create an Ethical Brand from Yarn Sourcing to Works Rights’ with Caroline Ash (Free)

24th May: Top 10 Tips to Create a Strong Team and Partnership with Your Manufacturer with Caroline Ash (Free)

Outfit of the Week

With Valentine’s Day in mind we’ve picked out this flattering, soft jersey, coral leopard print dress. Perfect to dress up for a special dinner, printed and made at our London factory this style is available exclusively on SilkFred.com

This Week on FashionCapital…

Senior Exec at Chanel Alicia, talks about how her apprenticeship gave her those initial core skills.

And Finally…

Don’t forget it’s our monthly Repair and Upcycle workshop coming up next Friday 17th. For just £10 you can drop by with your clothing items and get hands-on advice on how to successfully breathe new life into your clothes. This takes place at our fully equipped FC Designer Workspace in Islington, tap here to sign up.

Until next time, have a great week!

The team at FashionCapital