During National Apprenticeship Week (#NAW24), from 5 to 11 February, UKFT shines light on the work of employers and apprentices across the UK fashion and textile industry. Scroll down to find out more about leading footwear brands Dr Martens and Church’s involvement in the upcoming review of the Level 2 Footwear Manufacturer Apprenticeship Standard.

As the Government-appointed Sector Skills Body for fashion and textile, UKFT is responsible for apprenticeships in our industry. UKFT has played a pivotal role in the review of several fashion and textile apprenticeships, including the upcoming review of the Level 2 Footwear Manufacturer Apprenticeship Standard. The review will help ensure that the apprenticeship’s content, assessment and delivery still reflect the needs of the industry.

For this review, UKFT is working in its role as Secretariat in partnership with the British Footwear Association (BFA), who put together a new Trailblazer group of employers. The group features leading British footwear companies, including Dr Martens and Church’s who both participated in a previous industry Trailblazer group involved in the 2018 review of the apprenticeship.

Acutely aware of the importance of updating the Level 2 Footwear Manufacturer Apprenticeship Standard, Madeleine Sessions – Dr Martens’ Training Supervisor, Helen Errington – Church’s Head of HR, and Stephen Bent – Church’s Head or Production, accepted to answer a few of our questions about the upcoming apprenticeship review.

Tell us about your decision to get involved in the upcoming apprenticeship review

Madeleine Sessions (Dr Martens) said: “Dr Martens was part of the trailblazing group in the creation of the apprenticeship and feel very strongly that the format, with a few tweaks, could work just as well for other manufacturers as it does for us. Getting other manufacturers buy-in is very important to the success of the apprenticeship and for the future success of the industry.”

“Businesses can only thrive if they nurture new talent as they grow and careers can only be built if that talent has a meaningful measure of ability,” said Stephen Bent (Church’s).  

Helen Errington (Church’s) commented: “We need to ensure we continue to have a certified training programme which covers our Artisanal craft as it is key to the footwear industry, providing a pathway for passionate creative individuals to learn the art of making high quality footwear.”

Michaela Foster Saunders: Former Apprentice at Church’s, she became a full-time Dr Martens employee.

What are the skills shortages? 

Stephen Bent (Church’s) said: “Skills shortages are felt most keenly in the specific welted operations or in the material assessment areas around working with leather. This is due to the considerable experience required to master Toe Lasting, Welt Sewing, Leather Cutting, Sole Shaping etc. A useful Apprentice now is able to become an expert in the coming years. 

There are also relevant product assessment skills which can only be turned to valuable insights from being around those doing the making (It’s easier to criticise than to advise). Apprenticeships can build in this skill by showing more of the process than a one role hire would manage.”

Madeleine Sessions (Dr Martens) said: “We are very short of skilled lasters, especially welt sewers. Knowing how to solve manufacturing issues and seeing the quality issues of the previous operation. We also struggle with operative being able to maintain machines, leading to break downs and stoppages on the line.”

Left to right: Helen Errington, Church’s Head of HR, and Stephen Bent, Church’s Head or Production.

What are you looking to address?

Madeleine Sessions (Dr Martens) said: “I want to have the conversation whether a Level 3 apprenticeship may be a better fit for the industry and whether it will be a bigger draw on the employment market.” Click here to find out more about apprenticeship levels.

Helen Errington (Church’s) commented: “We’re looking to address becoming a company and industry seen as an attractive career choice, with learning and development that recognise individual achievements with a certified programme. We want to promote that footwear is alive with numerous amazing opportunities that start with an apprenticeship and flourish into a long-term career.”

“If we’re going to continue to grow the way our business model requires us to for the next five years and beyond, we need a constant intake of enthusiastic individuals that we can turn into recognised Artisans,” said Stephen Bent (Church’s).

What difference will it make to the industry and your business?

Helen Errington (Church’s) said: “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.”

Stephen Bent (Church’s): “We don’t want to hit a wall on capacity based on an issue we can all see coming. Without an apprenticeship there is no even ground of a starting point for building a career in shoemaking.”

Madeleine Sessions (Dr Martens) concluded: “With more industry buy-in we will have a bigger community of apprentices and trainee shoemakers that can lean on each other and learn from one another.  It will also give us a bigger pool of potential employees who are looking for progression or to get another skill under the belt.” 

Click on the link below to find out more about apprenticeships in the UK fashion and textile industry:  

NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2024