FUTURE PROOFING THE FASHION AND RETAIL WORKFORCE

The FRA was founded in 2005 as a collaboration between Industry and the Government with the objective of increasing and improving the industry talent pipeline. The first of its kind, the FRA have trained over 12,000 graduates now employed within the industry. 

Our student-facing courses, designed in collaboration with our retail partners,  run in parallel with the support we offer to industry to ensure you have access to train and develop your existing and future talent. 

  

Our courses


We offer a range of diplomas and degree courses aimed at securing your entry-level pipeline, whilst ensuring the FRA graduates you eployed are equipped with the skills you need to hit the ground running. Our specialist online courses provide opportunities for your employees to upskill remotely in the evenings, to avoid any impact on a working day. Fully supported throughout, each week they attend one remote live lesson and optional group/tutoring sessions.

Workforce Development

Recruitment and retention are two of the biggest challenges facing Talent Managers today. We work with you to identify the skills gaps in your teams through our talent mapping platform and create bespoke training plans to support your workforce and future-proof your business.  

More cost-effective than continuous recruitment, our custom-made on-site or remote programmes are designed around your timeframes, volumes and budget to provide a tailor-made solution for all training needs. 

Apprenticeships  

Many brands are paying the apprenticeship levy without effectively using it to benefit their businesses.  We offer a range of specialist apprenticeships at different levels to support your recruitment and upskilling needs.   Working together, we recruit, guide, train, manage and assess your apprentices across a range of roles including: 

  • Buying & Merchandising 
  • Visual Merchandising 
  • Retail & store Sales & Management 
  • Customer Service 
  • Business Administration 
  • Leadership & Management 
  • Garment & product Technology 
  • Digital Marketing 

Enrichment & Recruitment 


Our enrichment activities are at the centre of our curriculum strategy, ensuring our graduates are job ready with both the academic and practical, hands on experience they need to succeed in the industry.  Depending on the delivery type, our industry partners offer support across a range of activities including work placements, mentoring, real-time projects and masterclasses, also giving them first look at our talented pool. Our jobs platform also provides the perfect opportunity for brands to advertise roles to our talent pool of engaged alumni 

Research 


Our students provide an extensive pool of active Gen Z fashion enthusiasts, who can offer valuable insight into the attitudes and behaviours of this digital native generation.  Access their attitudes and thoughts via student panels, shadow boards, qualitative or quantitative research groups and project setting, to help you identify your future customers and trends for your business.

Our new home


We’re on the move! In Sept ’24, we are moving to Electra House to accommodate our growing numbers.  A five-minute walk from Liverpool St, this historic building is undergoing a £50m refurbishment to provide 35 classrooms, six state-of-the-art lecture theatres, an entire floor dedicated to creative learning with multi-use zoned areas, exhibition space and meeting rooms for hire  

Our industry partners have the opportunity to get involved early by sponsoring a room to reinforce a specific message or support our students with branded equipment. 

Social Impact 


The reach of the FRA goes far beyond the classroom.  Each year we measure our social impact, by looking at the courses we have delivered, wellbeing services offered to students, the financial support we provide through bursary schemes,  the social & economic impact created by the staff we employ, the students going into employment and local supply chain spending to support our activities.  Each year our social value has been increasing, and last year we are proud to announce it was calculated at £92 million. This equates to almost £7 generated for every £1 spent.  View the full report here.

To find out more about the FRA and how we can work together, send us your details and we will be in touch 

Get in touch