Fashion Enter’s Haringey-based training Fashion Academy has announced
that it’s achieved a 100 percent graduate employment rate, with learners
completing their accredited qualification at level one and two and
subsequently securing employment for all apprentices at level three and
four.
Those apprentices graduating at level three and four are now in
full-time employment with leading fashion companies such as Marks and
Spencer, Asos, Topshop, and River Island, the fashion academy confirmed.
The social enterprise has been supported with HSBC funding and is the
only training academy in Europe to operate alongside a fully functioning
textiles factory and was launched to pave way for new employment
opportunities for young people in London.
Fashion Enter chief executive, Jenny Holloway, said: “Our training
programme is the first apparel academy in Europe to operate alongside a
fully operational factory, ensuring that our students receive the real
experience of manufacturing whilst they gain their qualifications. This
combination has been a recipe for success and we’re delighted to announce
that all of our 2015/16 level three and four apprentices are now in
full-time employment.
“HSBC’s ongoing support throughout the evolution of our business has
been integral to our development. The bank’s Central London team has
provided sound business advice, reassurance and security throughout our
growth, which in turn has allowed us to take greater calculated risks and
introduce more and more young people to our apprenticeships programmes. We
look forward to continuing this momentum with HSBC and creating further
employment opportunities within the garment fashion industry.”
HSBC area director of business banking, James Patterson, added: “Fashion
Enter champions the garment fashion industry and provides vital employment
opportunities for young people. As a not-for-profit company, it’s been
essential that HSBC provided support to best enhance its growth and the
ongoing facilities we’ve put in place have helped to ensure the smooth
running of the business.
“HSBC has allocated 2.5 billion pounds to support SMEs in London this
year and Fashion Enter is a fantastic example of the type of businesses
which can take advantage of the funding. London is one of the most
competitive locations to start a business so this fund could give local
companies a real edge to stand out from the industry crowd with, which
Fashion Enter has so successfully done.”
Fashion Enter is an award-winning not-for-profit company that produces
garments for some of the UK’s largest retailers, including Marks and
Spencer, Asos and Tesco. Launched in 2008 the business has trained over 400
people at its Fashion Training Academy.
Image: Courtesy of Fashion-Enter