Young people fashion new roles
Young college students are hoping to fashion themselves a career.
Thanks to a new partnership, students from New College Durham are working with one of the biggest high street retailers to develop their employability skills.
Eight art and design and business students have been gaining essential workplace skills at the Outfit store at the Arnison Centre as part of an exciting new partnership to support work placements.
Outfit, part of global group Arcadia, hosts brands such as Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse and Miss Selfridge, and is supporting students on a series of ten-day work placements.
Visual arts and graphic design students have been getting involved in visual merchandising, analysing key trends and customer service.
Business students have been focusing on marketing reports, store figures and targets, in addition to shadowing the business administrator.
One of the students, 18-year-old Caitlin Richardson, who is studying Level 3 Art and Design at New College Durham, said: “I’ve always wanted to work in fashion, so when the opportunity for work experience at Outfit came up I jumped at the chance.
“I’ve really enjoyed learning about how a successful store like Outfit works and all about the different brands.
“This experience has confirmed my decision that I definitely want a career in fashion.”
As a result of her work placement, Caitlin, along with another art and design student, has been offered part-time employment at Outfit, alongside their studies.
Amy Locke, who is senior team leader at Outfit, Arnison, and line manager for the students, coincidentally is a former student of New College Durham.
She said: “We are really excited to be working in partnership with New College Durham. It’s an amazing opportunity for the students to see how a successful workplace operates on a day-to-day basis.
“We have really enjoyed working with the students and seeing them develop and gain confidence. They have been a credit to the college and the store.
“We are keen to repeat this process again next year and continue with our successful partnership.”
For more information about art and design and business courses at New College Durham, visit the next open event on Tuesday, February 6, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
“I definitely want a career in fashion” CAITLIN RICHARDSON