Where will this course lead?

This course is ideal for you, if you wish to become a Fashion Studio Assistant and are new to the sector or have previous qualifications and/or experience and are working in an associated role, which provides support for qualified professionals.

Britain is world renowned for our creativity and design talent. British designers capture the mood of the moment, cascading it into the high street, creating a multi-billion-pound industry. The direct value of the UK fashion industry to the UK economy is £26 billion. Fashion's total contribution to the economy is estimated to have risen to over £46 billion in 2014.

The key to creating further growth in the fashion industry is to professionalise and offer better career paths throughout the industry, not just in design talent. This apprenticeship will deliver specific skills that will ultimately contribute to all levels of a fashion business, developing leaders and teams to work alongside our design talent, as well as making Britain the best place to incubate a new business from initial excitement to commercial sustainability.

A Fashion Studio Assistant is a key position in the designer industry, working with the team that creates a collection. This apprenticeship will introduce candidates to the designer fashion industry, with experience gained in both the product and commercial sides of a brand. In a large company, this role would be more focused on the studio, but in a smaller company, this role may also be involved in many other areas of the business.

Busy, challenging, and exciting, the apprenticeship will encompass a wide variety of tasks, and will give a broad education in the reality of day-to-day life in a designer business. The apprenticeship starts in the heart of a designer business: the studio, to learn about how a collection is created. It will then lead to 12 months in a more focussed area of the business: product development or production, sales and operations, or fashion marketing and communications. In order to go onto many roles in this diverse industry, a foundation in understanding how a collection is created, marketed and sold is invaluable.

This apprenticeship has 3 three pathways suitable for the following job roles:

- Product Development & Production Coordinator

- Sales & Operations Representative

- Fashion Marketing & Communications Assistant

What will I study?

You will study the knowledge, skills and behaviours as set out within the apprenticeship standard, which will include the following:

Foundation Core

Knowledge -  The designer, Fashion Industry and the Yearly Cycle, Critical Path, Studio Workplace

Skills - Time Management, Communication, Office Admin

Core Behaviours - Core Behaviours, Self Motivation, Professionalism

Pathway 1: Product Development & Production

Knowledge - Studio Management, Materials, Pattern Knowledge, Garment Construction

Skills - Buying and Sourcing, Product Management, Quality Control

Pathway 2: Sales & Operations

Knowledge - Sales Strategy, Market Awareness, Merchandising

Skills - Logistics, Showroom, Customer Relationship Management

Pathway 3: Fashion Marketing & Communications

Knowledge - PR Strategy, Online Brand Communications, Offiine Brand Communication

Skills - Events, Media and Influencer Relationship Management, Content Creation

For full details, please see - https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/fashion-studio-assistant-v1-0

How will this course be delivered?

The apprenticeship programme consists of 'on-the-job' and 'off-the-job' training. You will receive on-the-job training from your employer and will also be allowed 20% off-the job training, which will involve your college day or block-release and independent work-based study.

Your independent study will be recorded in a learning journal, to capture evidence of your experiences, reflections, and achievements.

An assessor coach will be allocated to you and will visit your workplace on a regular basis, liaising with your work-based mentor, but you will also receive master-class workshops from college tutors.

This will give you the opportunity to do real work, developing work-based skills that employers' value and helping you to progress in your chosen career.

What qualifications will I get?

Level 3 Fashion Studio Assistant Apprenticeship Standard

Level 2 Functional Skills Maths and English (if required)

How will I be assessed?

The apprentice's progress and development will be assessed at regular stages - this is likely to be a combination of assignments, activities, exams, reflective discussions, and observations in the workplace.

The employer and training provider will formally sign-off the apprentice's readiness for the independent End Point Assessment (EPA) at 'gateway'. Gateway is the point at which the apprentice has met and can confidently apply the minimum knowledge, skills and behaviours required, as detailed within the apprenticeship standard.

The End-Point Assessment (EPA) will consist of 3 distinct components:

- Professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence

- Project report with questioning

- Practical assessment

Performance in the EPA will determine your overall apprenticeship grade i.e., pass or distinction

How do I get a place on the course?

In order to gain a place on this course, applicants must meet the entry criteria and attend a formal interview. All applications are to be submitted via the college website.

What are the entry requirements?

To secure a place of study on the Level 3 Fashion Studio Assistant's programme, the minimum entry requirements are as follows:

- English GCSE Grade 4/C, Level 2 Functional Skills, or equivalent

- Mathematics GCSE Grade 4/C, Level 2 Functional Skills, or equivalent

- A GCSE Grade 4/C, Level 2 Functional Skills, or equivalent in ICT is preferred but not essential

- Demonstrate a passion for the fashion industry

- Be at least 16 years of age

You must also be employed in a relevant field (as indicated above) for a minimum of 30 hours per week.

What else do I need to know?

As part of the national apprenticeship guidance, you will also undergo Equality & Diversity, British Values and Prevent training, which will prepare you with the necessary behaviour needed to work within the fashion industry.

There are no direct additional costs for this course, but you may want to purchase some textbooks for further reading. A suggested reading list will be supplied at the beginning of your course; however, we also have a wide selection of library books and electronic books for you to use too. You will be expected to supply your own stationery, such as folders, pens, and paper. Connection to the internet is expected, but facilities are available at college to do this if necessary.

Please contact the Employer Services Team for more information regarding funding and costs: apprenticeships@solihull.ac.uk

What can I do after this course?

Upon completion of the apprenticeship, you can:

- Continue your employment in the industry

OR

- Progress onto higher level qualifications through the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) to become a Team Leader or Operations Manager.