Apprenticeships

The Fashion Studio Assistant apprenticeship will open new pathways to the luxury fashion industry for school leavers. Its non-design focus will help to develop much needed skills to support a creative director and run a successful fashion business.

The Fashion Studio Assistant apprenticeship standard defines the job role for this apprenticeship (the standard can be found here). The apprenticeship lasts approximately 18 months. The first 6 months introduces the life-cycle of a fashion collection and the knowledge and skills needed in the role. For the remaining year, the apprentice can choose one of three specialisms to pursue:

•Product Development and Production
• Sales and Operations
• Fashion Marketing and Communications

Central to an apprenticeship is that the apprentice is training whilst working. Their employer commits to the apprentices training, both in the workplace and at a college/training organisation, which brings benefits to both the apprentice and the employer. 

This apprenticeship was developed by an employer group chaired by Zoe Olive, formerly of Roksanda, with the BFC acting as secretariat. In January 2019 the apprenticeship was fully approved as the 400th apprenticeship to be published by Government as part of their Trailblazers scheme. The BFC is now working with UK Fashion & Textiles, Sector Skills Body for Fashion & Textiles, to work with Training Providers across England who are interested in offering the apprenticeship. The BFC will continue our involvement through working with employers to encourage uptake of the apprenticeships, and with the apprentices to provide additional opportunities.

EMPLOYERS

If you are an employer interested in taking on an apprenticeship, please see our factsheet that gives advice on finding and employing an apprentice, available here. Note that accredited training providers are here to assist employers in all aspects of the process, from finding candidates, to confirming funding (for small businesses there may be funding available from government that covers the costs of training the apprentice), as well as guide employers to administer the training. Therefore we recommend employers start by finding a training provider. Further information for employers can be found here.

APPRENTICES

If you are interested in becoming a Fashion Studio Assistant apprentice, please click here for further information of the job roles open.

In addition to the training on the apprenticeship, there is an optional additional qualification (that would require to be paid for separately), the Fashion Studio Assistant Diploma, which is offered by UALAwarding Body. Further information is available here.

For further information please contact:

Colleges.Council@britishfashioncouncil.com