Our Sponsors
The Fashion Retail Academy is where your career gets off to a flying start. Not only will you enjoy an inspirational atmosphere where interactive learning is encouraged using the very latest facilities, we’ll also make sure that you have the chance to meet the people who matter in the industry so you can see just how relevant your studies are to the real world of High Street Fashion. It’s a great opportunity to gain the skills and experience needed to kick-start a career in the sector!
We’re the ‘trail-blazer’ for the Government’s ‘Skills Academies’ across a variety of industries (funded by a public-private partnership) to train people like yourself for the modern workplace. So you will be amongst the first to share in an exciting new venture and develop the skills required for today’s fashion retail industry.
You’ll recognise some of the big names who are supporting us at the Fashion Retail Academy; they include The Arcadia Group (Bhs, Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, Outfit, Topman, Topshop and Wallis), Marks and Spencer, Next and Tesco. It really is a unique combination of retail business and education that is specially designed for a challenging and fast-paced fashion retail world.
As a student, we’ll set up work placements for you throughout the academic year and encourage you to take up relevant part-time work. With the full backing of our retail partners’ vast resources, you will be able to make the link between work and your studies. In addition Master Classes and other unique collaborations are planned to make learning at the Fashion Retail Academy as creative and meaningful as possible.
The Arcadia Group
With eight of the high street’s best known brands, Arcadia Group is the UK’s largest privately owned fashion retailer with more than 3,100 outlets nationwide, as well as an increasingly significant online shopping presence. In recognition that our people are integral to our success, we’re always on the lookout for the best talent in the industry to support our ambitious and exciting plans for future growth.
“As a key sponsor of the Fashion Retail Academy, we’re passionate about supporting them in the vital role they play in nurturing and developing people into the fashion retail industry. Through providing over 250 work placements across all areas of our business, and supporting on key initiatives throughout the year, we’re committed to providing opportunities for the next generation of retail talent in an innovative environment where they can realise their potential.“
Sir Philip Green (www.arcadiagroup.co.uk)
Marks & Spencer
M&S has always believed in nurturing young talent, so that we can innovate as a business and grow the leaders of tomorrow – whether working on the shop floor, design, finance or even science. Now, with more than two million people working in retail - the UK’s largest private sector employer - it’s more important than ever that as an industry we work together to continue to develop this talent. The Fashion Retail Academy serves to achieve just that – bringing retailers together so we can provide an inspiring training ground for our future designers, buyers, merchandisers and marketers.
“The Fashion Retail Academy is just one important way of helping young people to realise their potential. In the last year more than 120 students got a taste of retail at M&S, with many going on to be offered full-time work with us. It’s proof that despite the recession, with hard-work there are fantastic opportunities for the taking.”
Sir Stuart Rose, Executive Chairman of Marks & Spencer (www.marksandspencer.com)
Tesco
In today’s fast paced retail industry, there’s never been a bigger need for fresh ideas. Clothing at Tesco recognises this, and as part of the chain’s continued commitment to support young talent, is proud to work in partnership with the FRA. The Academy offers students the ideal opportunity to learn and develop the essential skills required to excel in the retail industry. Whether it is a career in store operations, buying or merchandising, the FRA is an unrivalled centre of excellence which will help ambitious youngsters to achieve their full potential.
Having worked together with the Fashion Retail Academy for 3 years, Clothing at Tesco led a team of students from the FRA to win the Retail Futures Challenge Competition 2009, held in Barcelona. The winning team was mentored by a skilled team from Tesco’s marketing department, led by Terry Green, and three of the four students have secured jobs within the company, Tesco hope the first class training programmes will continue to inspire and develop talent for many years to come.
www.tesco.com/clothing
Next
Next is the leading fashion and home brand in the UK, offering good quality products in clothing, footwear, accessories and home products. Having played a pivotal role in unleashing the fashion and lifestyle revolutions that have transformed consumer demand, next now defines the orthodoxy of contemporary taste. With over 500 stores on the high street, the busiest fashion website in Europe, the hugely successful directory, Next really is a key player on the high street.
Next believes in cultivating new talent to develop the future of the retail sector. The Academy provides an inspirational platform to help young people get their career off to a flying start; uniting retailers to grow the talent of tomorrow.
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