Course Overview

You need to be employed to start an Apprenticeship. Please visit our vacancy page or if you have an employer, please ensure you add full contact details of your employer within your application. If you are unable to secure employment, you could enrol on a full-time study programme and transfer to an Apprenticeship at a later date. Please apply for a full-time course as your second option.

This Apprenticeship is forthose looking to work in sewn product manufacturers, footwear manufacturers, brands and retailers industry. They can be involved in the production of a wide range and variety of products, from clothing and fashion to leather goods, shoes, soft furnishings, marine and medical textiles.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide technical support throughout the product development process and ensure approved samples with specifications; production instructions and production patterns are in place so the manufacturing process can commence and be completed by the required date and within budget.

Product technologist typical duties include:

• Evaluating new product designs
• Supporting the production of sewn product samples
• Sample review, evaluation and approval
• Producing product specifications and production instructions
• Identifying suitable materials and accessories
• Analysing product returns and faults
• Supporting the production and distribution processes
• Costing and budget management
• Quality assurance and control
• Conduct product risk assessments

Most jobs combine a number of these aspects, but whichever job you choose to do, your Apprenticeship will be structured so that the training matches your job. You will work for your employer four days a week and train for one day a week either in-house or at College.

Apprentices can start this apprenticeship at any time of year.

This apprenticeship is delivered through our Higher Education offer, University Centre Somerset. To find out more and apply please click here.

Assessment Methods

You will be appointed an Assessor who will visit you in the workplace and assess your progress. Some of these visits will provide you with evidence that you can use towards your qualification.

One day a week you will work on your College course work gaining the underpinning knowledge required.

The End Point Assessment includes the completion of a multiple choice test and professional discussion with an external examiner. You also need to have achieve Functional Skills in maths and English, though some exemptions may apply.

Progression Options

On successful completion you could continue in employment or progress or to a university level qualification.