Church’s and Dr Martens shared apprenticeship success stories during the National Apprenticeship Week 2024. This week-long event takes place between 5 to 11 February, offering the opportunity to shine light on the work of apprentices and employers across the UK fashion and textile sector. Scroll down to find out more.

Leading British footwear specialists Church’s and Dr Martens are currently involved in the upcoming review of the Level 2 Footwear Manufacturer Apprenticeship Standard, alongside UKFT. Updating the apprenticeship will be essential to ensure its content, assessment and delivery still reflect the needs of the industry. “Supporting and developing footwear skills for the future ensures we are able to continue to thrive, making high quality luxury footwear in the local area,” said Helen Errington, Head of HR at Church’s.

Michaela’s Story at Church’s and Dr Martens

Madeleine Sessions, Training Supervisor at Dr Martens, shone light on the work of Michaela Foster Saunders. A former apprentice at Church’s, Michaela joined Dr Martens’ Clicking and Digital Cutting team. This success story is a great instance of how an apprenticeship led to a career in the fashion and textile industry. Madeleine said:

“We have many success stories with Dr Martens, but a standout for me is Michaela. She was an apprentice at Church’s, graduating in 2020. She joined Dr Martens Clicking and Digital cutting team, looking for progression and a wider range of jobs and responsibilities.

She fitted in with the team incredibly well and bringing her previous experience helped bolster the knowledge in the room. She was then made Digital cutting Supervisor in 2023. She has flourished in the role and is a real advocate for the apprenticeship.”

Michaela originally found the apprentice shoemaker advert on a local job website. She explained:

“I’d seen an advert on a local jobsite looking for apprentice shoemakers and I figured it would be a good way to learn a skilled trade while also exploring my creativity. I dove in headfirst and applied, in which I was offered a place, and the rest is history.

Being a shoemaker wasn’t something I’d ever thought I’d be doing after leaving school, however I’m glad I got to pursue such a creativity-driven role while being given the opportunity to further my education in a specific sector. Six years on and I’m still learning and fine tuning the skills I have picked up along the way.”

Michaela Foster Saunders

Church’s apprenticeship success stories

Apprentices are a vital part of Church’s team, who highlighted some of their most recent apprenticeship success stories.

Tatum Arzu

Tatum Arzu was part of Church’s first cohort of new style apprentices:

“Tatum was part of our first cohort of new style apprentices, so much so that we had to use the colleges engineering department to help with manufacturing processes and keep all the shoe making skills training in-house!

Once Tatum had past her apprenticeship, she mastered the Bottom Stock department becoming a key multi-skilled member of the team as a Utility.
Tatum did so well she was seconded to the Product Development Team and has climbed the ladder again, now a vital team member playing her part within the production planning team handling all MTO (Made to Order) product.”

Jack Whiston

Jack Whiston joined the company as an apprentice in 2014, fresh out of Secondary school:

“Jack joined us in 2014 direct from secondary school and progressed through the apprenticeship to work in the Clicking Room cutting the skins, starting on linings, mastering slippers and finally learning hand cutting. 

Jack also took an avid role in Community Union supporting his colleagues and actively engaging in some of the company’s committees. Jack now works as a Trainee IT Supervisor, still helping his work colleagues today.”

Henry Edwards

Henry Edwards, was part of Church’s 2015 apprenticeship cohort:

“Part of the 2015 cohort, Henry passed his apprenticeship with the Northampton College making some amazing Star Wars boots for his final project. It was recognised that Henry really worked well autonomously, and was ideal for the Skin Room, checking leather quality and grading the leather for the Clicking Room. 

Because of his exceptional eye for quality Henry has progressed to component quality & quality control assisting the purchasing team. He has also become an artisan at the creaming and detailing of our top line shoes, the New Crown Collection.” 

Left to right: Tatum Arzu, Jack Whiston, Henry Edwards.

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NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2024

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