Fashion and Textiles Product Technologist

Funding

Apprenticeships can be funded from your Apprenticeship Levy or by Government Co-Invest. If you do not pay the Levy, the Government will fund 95% of the programme, meaning you pay as little as £450 per person you enrol. We are also able to offer privately funded places for any employees not eligible for apprenticeship funding. For further information about funding options, eligibility and costs, please contact us.

Cost Includes:

• Bespoke off-the-job learning plan
• Programme Manager overseeing the learner journey and apprentice experience
• Delivery of the programme by retail experts
• Blend of sessions including online learning, webinars, in-person workshops, and individual coaching and support
• Preparation and support for End-Point Assessment
• Dedicated Client Manager
• Access to FRA resources including WGSN, LinkedIn Learning, Global Data, Business of Fashion, Fashion/Beauty Monitor and Drapers
• Online e-Portfolio
• Monthly progress report

Learning modules

Supply Chain and Customer Base​

• Different customer requirements e.g. quality standards, product finish, timescale​
• Brand standards and ethics​
• The supply chain; management systems and considerations e.g. procurement methods, service level agreements, availability of materials, late deliveries​, cost increases 

Materials Used in Production ​

• The properties, behaviour and characteristics of raw materials​
• Fabric and trim analysis to meet design briefs​
• Contingency planning e.g. alternative trim, materials, buttons​
• Testing of materials for suitability in relation to design and function​
• Product labelling

The Product and Production Process ​

• Production and material costs ​
• Industrial sewing machines and other relevant equipment ​
• Different manufacturing, procurement and distribution methods ​
• Plan production schedules and workloads to meet targets and deadlines
• End-to-end main product production process (pattern production, cutting, manufacturing, quality checking, packing and distribution)
• Product lifecycle, e.g. the period over which an item is developed, brought to market and eventually removed from the market
• Continual improvement in relation to product and production processes​
• Critical path management processes relevant to product production

Working Practices​

• Review and evaluation of product designs
• Product specifications, quality, compliance requirements​
• Pattern production, sizes, grading and cutting techniques 
• Manufacturing techniques
• Different types of product samples
• Sample analysis and review process
• Sample sealing systems e.g. blue, silver, gold seal
• Risk assessment processes
• Overseas manufacturing implications
• Returns analysis
• Logistics and distribution systems
• IT and administration, CAD/CAM

Quality Assurance Processes​

• Quality standards and specifications for production​
• Fault finding, diagnosis and rectification procedures​
• Quality approval systems and control processes, e.g. inspection of materials and products during production, checks against specifications, spot checks, audits, end checks
• International and British quality standards in relation to the manufacture of products e.g. British Standard Institute (BSI), International Organisation of Standardisation (ISO)

Communication and Policy and Procedures

• Communication techniques, across all levels and departments involved in the design, sales, manufacturing and distribution process
• Technical documents/records, e.g. tech packs, specifications, tracking, review notes, product history
• Health and safety
• Employer and employee rights
• EDI
• Legislation

End-point assessment

For the Level 4 Fashion and Textile Product Technologist, end-point assessment typically takes 3 months to complete.

EPA includes a multiple-choice test, and work-based project including presentation and Q&As.