Fashion Apprenticeships

What apprenticeships are there in fashion?

The fashion industry is super diverse. There are plenty of roles for school leavers just like you. You can find apprenticeships that cover everything from textiles to journalism to fashion marketing.

Fashion apprenticeships can be found across all levels, from Level 2 up to Degree Apprenticeships. So you can join this fast-paced career ladder from age 16+. 

Fashion Studio Assistant

In the first six months of being a studio assistant, you’ll learn everything there is to know about the running of a fashion studio. 

Then you’ll spend the next 12 months specialising in one of three pathways: 

• Product development and production. Here you’ll get to grips with studio management, develop your knowledge of patterns, materials and construction, as well as buying/sourcing

• Sales and operations. Perfect for those with logistical skills, you’ll learn all about creating sales strategies, merchandising, and customer relations/service

• Fashion marketing and communications. You’ll get into various aspects of brand promotion, creating content for social media, working with media and influencers, and PR strategies.

Fashion Buyer/Merchandiser

You’ll work mainly in retail for companies big and small. Here, you’ll learn all about brand awareness and the products your customers want. Some tasks will include:

• Sourcing, maintaining and delivering on-brand products

• Understanding and even predicting trends in fashion to help bring in the right products at the right time

• Building relationships with suppliers and attending supplier meetings.

Fashion Retailer

Being a fashion retailer is a pretty important job. Why? Because you’ll be the face of the product. Fashion retailers are there to sell the product and help customers with any queries.

The great thing about working in fashion retail is that you can work online too. It’s a super versatile role. Some tasks can include:

• Delivering top-tier customer service and liaising with customers face-to-face, via telephone and email

• Ordering, managing and taking out stock

• Helping to make sure sales targets are met.

Textile Care Operative

Believe it or not, you can learn how to look after fabrics with a fashion textile care apprenticeship. You’ll learn how to use wet and dry techniques to wash, revive and look after fabrics. Tasks include:

• Providing laundry services for various kinds of materials

• Making sure the quality of cleaning is up to industry standards

• Making sure the working environment is clean.

Garment Maker

This is where the magic happens. A garment maker brings the designs to life - they cut, sew, and construct clothing. Garment makers can work with machines in large companies or as part of an ‘atelier’, creating handmade clothes in smaller batches. You can expect to:

• Follow instructions to create garments according to the design

• Find and fix any problems with the clothes and recommend any changes

• Regularly check in with the Head Designer.

How long is a fashion apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are full-time, meaning you’ll work up to 40 hours per week on average like any other employee. 

You’ll also spend some time earning your professional qualification through classroom learning. Essentially, you’ll spend four days a week on the job and one day in the classroom.

Most Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships last between 12 and 18 months, whereas Level 4 to 7 can last between one and five years.

Do you get paid to do a fashion apprenticeship?

Unfortunately, unpaid work experiences still lurk within the fashion industry. However, more paid opportunities for young people have been created over the years. So don’t accept anything less than paid work experience, like an apprenticeship. All apprenticeships are PAID.

As an apprentice, you'll earn while studying from the first day of your career. Currently, the average apprentice earns the national minimum wage. However, many employers pay a stack more than that.

For example, a Trainee Bespoke Cutter can earn up to £20,000 per year, and a Garment Maker apprentice can earn between £16,000 and £20,000 per year. From the reviews on our website, the average fashion design apprentice earns £27,800!

What are the entry requirements for a fashion apprenticeship?

The entry requirements for a fashion apprenticeship will always depend on the level of apprenticeship you apply for.

Usually, an employer will require the following:

• Level 2

  • Some ask for two or more GCSEs graded at 9 to 4 (A* to C). However, lots of Level 2 apprenticeships don’t require GCSEs.

• Level 3

  • Five GCSEs graded 9 to 4 (A* to C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship

• Level 4/5 (Higher)

  • Two A-levels or equivalent (like a BTEC or an NVQ/SVQ).

• Level 6/7 (Degree)

  • Three A-levels graded at A* to C or equivalent.

However, many apprenticeships don’t require you to have any previous qualifications or experience, as long as you can show that you have a genuine interest in fashion.

So if you spend your free time drawing fashion illustrations, upcycling your old clothes, or you can name every collection Chanel has unveiled yearly since 1995 - these are the kinds of things employers want to hear about.

Technically, you don’t need GCSEs or to have studied a fashion degree to become a designer.

Many of the world’s most famous designers didn’t come from an academic background or even a fashion background.

French designer Pierre Cardin studied architecture before making his fashion debut in the 1950s, and wedding gown extraordinaire Vera Wang started as a figure skater. Her wedding dresses have been worn by the likes of Issa Rae, Ariana Grande and Victoria Beckham.

If you have your needle and thread set on studying fashion design, you can do so through a fashion textiles or studio assistant apprenticeship.

Where can I find a fashion apprenticeship?

Fashion has become so much more accessible in recent years. Thanks to new initiatives, there are loads of opportunities for you to jumpstart your fashion career.

British Fashion Council (BFC)

The BFC’s job is to make sure that the world takes British fashion seriously. It’s the head honcho behind events like London Fashion Week and The Fashion Awards, so naturally, they’re the number one resource for all things fashion.

It’s also an excellent resource for finding fashion apprenticeships, and they often advertise their roles.

Fashion Retail Academy

This is the place to be if a career in retail is your bag. They offer apprenticeships across all levels, from a fashion studio assistant to fashion buying and merchandising.

Hear from Level 3 Fashion Retail Student Ellie as she answers 73 questions (fans of Vogue will get it) about her apprenticeship and the Fashion Retail Academy.

Fashion Enter

Fashion Enter offers apprenticeships that specialise in the creation of clothing. 

You can learn anything from textile care and pattern cutting to bespoke tailoring. So if your needle and thread are set on becoming the next Rick Owens, an apprenticeship with Fashion Enter is precisely what the atelier ordered.

How to apply for a fashion apprenticeship

First, you will need to find the apprenticeship you want to apply to. Head back up to our section about where to find a fashion apprenticeship for help with this.

Once you have found the one for you, make sure you’re ready for the application process. Perfect your CV and cover letter writing so you can progress to the next stage.

Sometimes, due to the nature of a fashion apprenticeship, they’ll ask for a portfolio. This is where you combine all your design work into one place and present it to the employer.