Footwear Production Apprenticeship - Intermediate (Level 2)

Love footwear? Passionate about making things? On the Dr Martens 12 month footwear apprenticeship programme you'll learn about footwear production from start to finish, as well as the unique Dr. Martens manufacturing process. You'll get comprehensive on-the-job and college training and a qualification.

Responsibilities

What will the apprentice be doing?

Footwear manufacturing is a highly skilled and respected trade. As an apprentice you will be working alongside the production team at our Made in England Factory, Wollaston, Northamptonshire, where our iconic 1460 boot was born. You will learn the footwear production process from start to finish, daily activities will include:

• Clicking: operating cutting presses to specified quality standards, minimising wastage of skins and using innovative leather scanning and digital cutting technology
• Closing: creating Dr. Martens uppers using a variety of sewing machines and other specialist machinery
• Lasting: shaping the shoe around a last and attaching the sole to our famous yellow stitched welt
• Shoe room: adding the final touches - lacing, cleaning, and boxing ready for dispatch

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

The apprenticeship runs for 12 months in our Made in England factory. You will learn everything to do with Dr. Martens footwear manufacturing as well as other aspects such as the tanning process, sizing, other footwear constructions and health and safety.

We are closely connected with Northampton College, where you will study and learn throughout the year, as well as with other companies in the footwear industry around Northamptonshire.

Your study programme will require you to attend Northampton College for one day per week.

Following successful completion of your apprenticeship, you’ll receive a government accredited qualification in Footwear Manufacturing - Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship in Footwear - and be offered a full-time position within the factory specialising in one of the following areas: 

• Clicking
• Closing
• Lasting
• Shoe Room

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

Graduate apprentices are guaranteed a full-time position in the factory where you will develop and hone your craft while continuing to learn new skills alongside past apprentices. Some of our graduate apprentices have moved into office positions such as Factory Administration, Sourcing Administration and Product Development.

Reality Check

Our apprentices are brand ambassadors, involved in the running of the Dr Martens Apprenticeship Instagram account: drmartens_apprenticeship. Salary provided is the 2023 salary and will be reviewed in April 2024.

Skills Required

Team working, Creative, Initiative, Non judgemental, Patience, Eye for detail, Good communicator, Problem solving

Qualifications Required

GCSE or equivalent Maths and English (Grade 4 or above) Essential