Fashionistas who dream of a career in design, manufacturing or textiles can now earn while they learn as The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London teams up with Fashion Enter to offer 15 lucky people an apprenticeship.
The partnership, which uses Skillset’s ‘Apparel Apprenticeship’ framework, is the first to be formed in London and will officially launch at an Open Day on 8 December at Fashion Enter’s Workshop in Haringey.
Potential apprentices and employers are invited along to the event at The Workshop, Unit 5, Mavros House, 95 Vale Road, Haringey N4 1TG, between 10am and 12 noon, and 1pm and 3pm, to find out about the benefits of The Fashion Apprenticeship. Asos.com will also give presentations at 11am and 3pm.
Leading fashion online retailer Asos.com is already committed to the programme, and the first apprentices are expected to start in January 2011. The apprentices will spend most of their time at work, and will study garment production and fashion design one day a week.
Louise McCabe, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at asos, who is looking forward to bringing apprentices onboard, added: “Asos.com prides itself on breaking new ground in the fashion industry. We are also passionate about creating career opportunities for young people and developing skills for garment manufacturing in the UK. This is why we are delighted to be directly supporting the first London based Fashion Apprenticeship with Fashion Enter and The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London.”
College Director for Creative Studies, Jeff Rosenberg, said: “The College is really excited about working with Fashion Enter and Asos to develop this new apprenticeship for fashion students so that we can ensure they have excellent creative skills as well as technical ones. Apprenticeships are perfect for this process.”
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council that represents the fashion and textiles industry, are promoting the framework for the Apprenticeship to help bridge the technical skill gaps that exist in London and offer strong career paths to aspiring young people keen to get their foot in the door.
Skillset Chief Executive, Dinah Caine, said: “London is such a hub of creative talent and tremendous skill in the fashion and textiles industry, it seems a waste not to have these skills being passed down through the Apprenticeship scheme. We look forward to many talented apprentices in London being given the opportunity to kick start their careers.”
Employers or potential apprenticeships who are intesterd in getting involved should contact Emily Tullett– Education Manager at Fashion Enter on 020 8462 9620, email emily@fashioncapital.co.uk or visit www.fashioncapital.co.uk