fashion apprenticeships

Level 4 Fashion and Textiles Product Technologist Apprenticeship

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If working in the production of a wide range of fashion products interests you, read on. You will learn more about the level 4 Fashion and Textiles Product Technologist apprenticeship in this blog. This course could help you start a new career in the Fashion and Textiles industry.

Meeting In Fashion Design Studio

About the apprenticeship

The Level 4 Fashion and Textiles Product Technologist apprenticeship is a 22-month course. During the course of this apprenticeship you will oversee the product development cycle at sewn product manufacturers, brands and retailers. You will provide technical support through the product development process and ensure brand samples with specifications are in place. This role is fast paced, you will have to ensure all technical and commercial elements of the product development cycle are up to a high standard. You will be interacting with designers, merchandisers, manager buyers, pattern cutters and quality control managers on a day-to-day basis.

The average Fashion and textiles product technologist salary with a few years of experience ranges from £25,000-£35,000. This proves that this role can be a great career choice, with many opportunities for apprentices after course completion. We will discuss progression opportunities in a later section of this blog.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for this apprenticeship course are typically 5 or more GCSE’s. Alternatively, a level 3 college course or apprenticeship will be applicable. This is completely up to the employer’s discretion if they feel you are a perfect fit for the company, they may decide to employ you with other industry experience. In many instances English and Math’s certificates are required, if you haven’t got this don’t worry, your employer may give you the opportunity to complete these if needed. This is why apprenticeships are a great route to start your career in a new industry as it gives everyone who want to the chance to succeed.

Skills you will develop

During the course of your Fashion and Textiles Product Technologist apprenticeship you will learn a number of durable skills. All skills learned will be essential for you to progress in the Fashion and Textiles Industry.

Examples of skills you will achieve:

  • Learning to evaluate and cost the production of given designs and identify possible constraints
  • Developing samples that meets design, end use and specifications.
  • Analyzing product samples with focus on quality, fit, risk and production processes
  • Confidently carry out product risk assessments
  • Approve samples and allocate sample seal if appropriate
  • Overseeing material and product tests be able to analyze test results
  • Analyse product returns and identify potential solutions
  • Manage quality problems and eradicate potential issues

Progression opportunities

In terms of progression opportunities, you could continue in your employment or progress to a university level. Once the apprenticeship is complete you can look at applying for higher level job roles such as Fashion Merchandiser, Buying manager, Designer etc.

Find more information on this apprenticeship on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education website here. Alternatively if you are still interested in a Fashion apprenticeship but feel this role is not for you, check out other courses on our website. See our blog on the Level 3 Fashion Studio Apprenticeship.

A Fashion and Textiles product Technologist apprentice presenting work in a client meeting

Level 3- Fashion Studio Assistant Apprenticeship

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Fashion Studio Equipment: Measuring tape with pin cushion and thread in the background

Introduction

If you have enjoyed or studied Textiles, Art, or Design & Technology, or generally have an interest in Fashion then a Level 3 Fashion Studio Assistant Apprenticeship could be for you. Read on for Potential Future job/Career prospects as a Fashion Studio Assistant Apprentice, Entry Requirements, Exams and more…

Potential Jobs/Career Prospects

With this apprenticeship you can accelerate into job like:

  • Weaver & Knitters with an average salary of £25,434
  • Working in Footwear & Leather Working Trades with an average salary of £19,292
  • Working in Textiles, Garments & Related Trades with an average salary of £20,984
  • Upholsterers with average salary of £22,245
  • Tailor & Dressmakers with an average salary of £21,457

Based on UCAS Career Options- Careers in Art, Performance and Design | UCAS

After the apprenticeship you can also accelerate with Level 5 Bespoke Tailor & Cutter apprenticeship.

Entry Requirements

For this Level 3 Fashion Studio Assistant Apprenticeship , the entry requirement are as follows:

  • English & Mathematics at GCSE Grade C/4 or above or equivalent functional skills.
  • Candidates without the above will achieve English & Mathematics Level 2 by the end of their apprenticeship.

Key Responsibilities

With the UK leading the fashion industry by generating £26 billion into the UK economy its fair to say as a Fashion Studio Assistant apprenticeship you will be busy.

Core Competencies & Duration

You day to day will include:

  • Working with your team to create & develop a collection
  • Understanding both product and commercial side of the fashion industry
  • Depending on how small or large the company your focus maybe on the studio or the larger business areas

The Level 3 Fashion Studio Assistant Apprenticeship lasts 18 months with 6 months focusing on the Foundation core elements and then 12 months focusing on either Product Development or Production, Sales & Operations or Fashion Marketing & Communications.

The Foundation Core Elements are split into knowledge & skills. These include:

Knowledge:

  • The designer fashion industry and the yearly cycle- understanding the seasonal cycle and product journey
  • Critical Path- Basic flow of the business cycle & how a collection is brought together using the critical path
  • Studio Work Place- Understanding how to work as a part of the wider team & awareness of how different departments contribute toa company goals & objectives.

Skills:

  • Time Management- Being able to work to a strict deadline and deal with project management
  • Communication- Understanding how to have both written and verbal communication, this could include writing professional emails, managing diaries and communication with internal and external representatives  
  • Office Admin- Being able to complete basic invoicing or ordering, diary management, planning, minutes from meeting and preparation

3 Pathways after the 6 months Foundation Core training are:

Product Development & Production

Knowledge:

  • Studio Management- Working and dealing with the Studio team, designers, manufacturers, suppliers, technical staff, freelancers, clients, and production team
  • Materials- Building a basic understanding of different fabrics, yarns, and trims
  • Pattern Knowledge- Learning about designer specific techniques such as applique, print & tie dye
  • Garment Construction- Developing a basic understanding of pattern cutting, Awareness of CAD (Computer-Aided Design)/CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing)

Skills:

  • Buying & Sourcing- Understanding how to source fabrics/components
  • Product Management- How to cost garment effectively
  • Quality Control- Having the ability to quality control garments, fabrics & accessories

Sales & Operations

Knowledge:

  • Sales Strategy- Developing awareness of the different selling channels open to designers, and strategy is used to target a market
  • Market Awareness- Developing knowledge of a specific market either international or domestic and using marketing & competitor research
  • Merchandising- Understanding the importance of sales analysis, having a range of pricing & price architecture

Skills:

  • Logistics- Learning about the packaging, dispatch, & shipping process and regulations
  • Showroom- How to present & showcase a collection by looking a space, greeting clients, and maintaining a standard of visual merchandising
  • Customer Relationship Management- Learning the ability to manage customer data with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

Fashion Marketing & Communication

Knowledge:

  • PR Strategy- Understanding of how and why the brand is promoted over multiple channels and to strategical do it with a content marketing calendar
  • Online Brand Communications- Using Digital marketing to promote the brand and understanding how channels work with their effectiveness
  • Offline Brand Communications- Using Print Media and Events to promote brand

Skills:

  • Events- Being involved in events preparation & coordination.
  • Media & Influencer Relationship Management- Developing relationships with clients, press & fashion organisation
  • Content Creation- Aiding in the creation of copy for content and presentations.

Exams

The EPA is comprised of 2 assessments methods which must be completed in order with the Work Based Project (WBP) first and Practical Test (PT) second.

The WBP

You will be required to complete a work-based project comprised of one large study and then a presentation to participate in a discussion based on the project (All conducted on the same day). The project topic can anything related to their chosen pathways and is an opportunity for yourself to showcase all their knowledge and skills they have learnt over the apprenticeship.

The project should between 35-40 hours to complete and the presentation should take a further 10-12 to prepare.

The PT

The practical test must take place AFTER you have completed the WBP.

The PT is synoptic, but the focus will allow you to demonstrate practical skills, knowledge & behaviours from both the core and their chosen specialism in a realistic work situation.

The PT should be prepared for in 60 minutes and conduct with an examiner 40 minutes with 15minutes with follow up questions.

Key thing to note:

The off the job training element of this learning and training must be at least 20% of your apprenticeship duration.

Conclusion

As you can see, the Level 3 Fashion Studio Assistant is a very vast and appealing apprenticeship. The apprenticeship will allow you to develop a core foundation of knowledge and skills and explore a specific side of the fashion industry depending on the pathway you decide to take.