Today David Beckham and model Adwoa Aboah officially launched the new Fashion Studio Assistant apprenticeship during a visit at Prendergast Vale School in Lewisham, inspiring a new generation of people to enter the UK fashion industry in non-design roles.

The Level 3 apprenticeship (equivalent to an A Level) was developed by a group of fashion businesses with the British Fashion Council providing the secretariat and UK Fashion & Textile association (UKFT) as the external quality assurance provider (EQAP).

Adam Mansell, CEO of UKFT, said: “Apprenticeships offer a great way to get into the UK fashion industry and we are delighted that David Beckham is here to help promote the vast opportunities that exist for creative young talent in non-design roles in our sector. There are now 13 new apprenticeships available in England for fashion and textiles, with more on the way, and a variety of vocational routes through the National Occupational Standards and Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”

A Fashion Studio Assistant is a key position in the UK fashion industry, working with the team that creates a collection. This apprenticeship will introduce candidates to the fashion industry, with experience gained in both the product and commercial sides of a brand. In a large company, this role would be more focused on the studio, but in a smaller company this role may also be involved in many other areas of the business.

The apprenticeship starts in the heart of a designer business: The Studio, to learn about how a collection is created. The apprentice will spend the first six months learning about the core skills covering areas such as critical path management. It will then lead to 12 months in a more focused area of the business, with the apprentice choosing to specialise in one of three pathways: Product Development and Production; Sales and Operations; or Fashion Marketing and Communications.

Following on from the 18-month training, the apprentice will undertake an Independent End-Point Assessment that has been derived by industry experts in this field.

Caroline Rush, chief executive of BFC, said: “It is incredible to be able to support career opportunities for young people who might not want to pursue higher education. There are a lot of roles out there that need to be filled by skilled workers; the fashion industry is highly dependent on those roles and we hope that this will strengthen our industry and make it more accessible by being able to offer this exciting new Fashion Studio Apprenticeship.”

UKFT became the government-appointed Sector Skills Body for UK fashion and textiles in November 2017 and has made rapid progress in addressing the industry’s critical skills gap, specifically in manufacturing.

“The UK is home to a diverse range of businesses producing fashion and textiles, from heritage manufacturers fusing artisan techniques with the latest technology through to cutting-edge technical textile producers and high-end designer manufacturing specialists,” said Mansell. “Our manufacturers produce product worth more than £9bn a year and employ more than 100,000 people.

“Our vibrant and innovative UK manufacturing industry is currently enjoying a great renaissance, responding to growing domestic demand for speed and convenience as well as increasing interest from international consumers looking for quality UK-made product or a distinctly British look for their collections,” he added. “But there is urgent work to do to ensure we have a strong pipeline of talent entering the industry so this can continue for many years to come.”

Over the last two years, the association has been working across the four nations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to ensure vocational training is of a high standard, up-to-date and relevant for the industry it serves. Through working with employer groups, UKFT has created a portfolio of training provision that underpins the most in-demand job roles, which can be applied to a wide range of career pathways – from pattern cutter to sewing machinist and fashion studio assistant, to footwear manufacturer to leather craftsperson.

The employer groups encompass individual designers and small companies through to major retailers and brands, such as Burberry, Mulberry and Asos, to develop the various apprenticeship standards. This ensures that the criteria met the skills, knowledge and behaviours required by small and large employers, across all sectors, from clothing to textiles, leather and footwear.

“UKFT’s work has been focused on ensuring new routes into manufacturing roles are relevant and available,” said John West, director of skills and training at UKFT. “We have led the development of new, industry led apprenticeships, making sure qualifications are relevant by introducing a recognition programme.”

In addition to apprenticeships, UKFT has been working to encourage new entrants into the industry through a series of career events around the country targeted at young people aged 14 and over promoting the industry and the career and training opportunities within it. At these events, the association works with training providers and local employers to help recruit a new generation of young, committed fashion and textiles workers.

As part of the school curriculum, the UK is set to roll out a new set of qualifications called T Levels (technical levels) to sit alongside the existing A Levels for 16-year-olds and above next year. UKFT is part of the panel that will develop the outline content for the new T Level for craft and design, which encompasses fashion and textiles, set to launch from 2022.

Alongside this activity, the association is seeking to enhance the production and sourcing knowledge of the UK’s strong pool of design graduates by bringing universities and employers together, while also illustrating the wealth of technical and creative roles within the supply chain.

“Our work is part of a broader mission to change the perception of fashion and textiles manufacturing in the UK and encourage people into jobs so the industry can thrive,” concludes Mansell.

Images courtesy of the British Fashion Council, Tim Whitby.