Footwear Production Apprentice Review
at Dr. Martens
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Wollaston, Northamptonshire
Review Submitted: May 2022
Overall Rating
4.7 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
Each day, depending on the room rotation you are in, you will be part of the team making Dr Martens footwear. Either cutting leather, closing uppers, lasting into shoes or finished the footwear to go in a box. Working alongside the production team at our Made in England Factory, you will learn the footwear production process from start to finish.
Put simply you must learn everything - understand everything that goes into making our footwear.
Put simply you must learn everything - understand everything that goes into making our footwear.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoyed the apprenticeship program so much that I have stayed at Dr Martens to pursue a career with leather.
I have also encouraged others to apply for the apprenticeship. It is a great starting point to get into the shoe industry and a great brand to be a part of.
It’s never just a job at Dr.Martens. It’s a way of life. We live and breathe our Fundamentals: INTEGRITY. PROFESSIONAL. PASSIONATE. TEAM PLAYERS.
I have also encouraged others to apply for the apprenticeship. It is a great starting point to get into the shoe industry and a great brand to be a part of.
It’s never just a job at Dr.Martens. It’s a way of life. We live and breathe our Fundamentals: INTEGRITY. PROFESSIONAL. PASSIONATE. TEAM PLAYERS.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Clicking: Learning how to operate the cutting presses to specified quality standards and creating the least amount of wastage of skins - showing respect to the material.
Closing: Using various sewing machines to make a Dr. Martens upper.
Lasting: The process of shaping the shoe around a last and attaching the sole to the famous yellow stitched welt.
Shoe room: Adding the final touches to our shoes. Lacing, cleaning, examining for quality and boxing ready for dispatch.
I spent more time in the Shoe Room than any other and was offered a job here at the end of the apprenticeship. This room is the control centre for the quality the customers will see. Examiners spend all day identifying flaws and really making the footwear look it's best. They are the last people to see it before it is put in a box to later be unwrapped by the customer. Eye for detail and understanding of the full making process is key.
Closing: Using various sewing machines to make a Dr. Martens upper.
Lasting: The process of shaping the shoe around a last and attaching the sole to the famous yellow stitched welt.
Shoe room: Adding the final touches to our shoes. Lacing, cleaning, examining for quality and boxing ready for dispatch.
I spent more time in the Shoe Room than any other and was offered a job here at the end of the apprenticeship. This room is the control centre for the quality the customers will see. Examiners spend all day identifying flaws and really making the footwear look it's best. They are the last people to see it before it is put in a box to later be unwrapped by the customer. Eye for detail and understanding of the full making process is key.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The program is set up so that you work your way around the factory in 4 weekly rotations. Each time you move rooms you know a little bit more than you did before. Building on knowledge every day.
The weekly classroom/college day fills in the knowledge behind and around the history and practices for how shoes are made.
The weekly classroom/college day fills in the knowledge behind and around the history and practices for how shoes are made.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Factory Manager, Apprentice Training Manager, HR team and ex-apprentices are nearby or an email away if you need support with something for the apprenticeship or you are having a hard time with something.
There is a also an anonymous system in place to report any bigger work problems to.
There is a also an anonymous system in place to report any bigger work problems to.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
With a full time Apprentice Manager for support, you are never left to struggle with anything. All staff are friendly and have many years of shoe making experience that they are willing to share. Everyone is very friendly and patient when you are learning.
You are really part of a team.
You are really part of a team.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Completing the apprenticeship has given me an all round understanding. I now hold the role of Leather Inspector. In order to assess the quality of the leather received from tanneries I need to know what it will be used for. From my time in the shoe room I understand the flaws that will cause the footwear t be rejected. From my time in clicking and closing I understand what the thickness and temper are so important.
I have seen first hand how the leather feeds into the factory and is used at each stage.
Talking to colleagues who are also ex apprentices about work is also made much easier as I know their understanding matches my own and the apprenticeship gives us the ability to speak the same "language".
I have seen first hand how the leather feeds into the factory and is used at each stage.
Talking to colleagues who are also ex apprentices about work is also made much easier as I know their understanding matches my own and the apprenticeship gives us the ability to speak the same "language".
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Dr Martens feels like a family. Likeminded people in one place means there are people here that I consider true friends - people I will know for life.
Dr Martens offers many schemes to get involved with. Charity work, special projects, learning and times when the company comes together to celebrate our successes, holidays and people lost.
Dr Martens offers many schemes to get involved with. Charity work, special projects, learning and times when the company comes together to celebrate our successes, holidays and people lost.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Dr. Martens to a friend?
Yes
Why?
We work at the original factory, the birthplace of the brand. There is always a good feeling as you walk the halls at Cobb's Lane - everyone smiles as they pass. The first thing anyone looks at is what shoes you are wearing!
Dr Martens is such an inclusive place. Weirdness is adored. Uniqueness is celebrated. We are encouraged to think outside of the norm and stand strong doing it.
No place to work is perfect but applying for the apprenticeship is one of the best choices I have made.
Dr Martens is such an inclusive place. Weirdness is adored. Uniqueness is celebrated. We are encouraged to think outside of the norm and stand strong doing it.
No place to work is perfect but applying for the apprenticeship is one of the best choices I have made.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Dr. Martens?
Most importantly: BE YOURSELF.
The apprenticeship is not about fitting into a mould for a machine that makes footwear operatives.
Do not go into it thinking you will come out a footwear designer. There are many roles open to you after you have graduated but only if you are willing to work for it.
The interview process is one of the best I have been through. I had fun - you can't say that about many interviews!
Apply - you never know...
The apprenticeship is not about fitting into a mould for a machine that makes footwear operatives.
Do not go into it thinking you will come out a footwear designer. There are many roles open to you after you have graduated but only if you are willing to work for it.
The interview process is one of the best I have been through. I had fun - you can't say that about many interviews!
Apply - you never know...
footwear production apprentice
at Dr. Martens
- Level 2 Apprenticeship
- Wollaston, Northamptonshire
-
3.3
Footwear Production Apprentice
at Dr. Martens
- Level 2 Apprenticeship
- Wollaston, Northamptonshire
-
4.1
