Onesie Apprenticeship Story - Mandy

  After studying Fashion & Textiles at Foundation and BTEC levels in Northumberland College 09’-11’, I decided against going down the university route. So I was straight in to applying for jobs from leaving college. I applied for many over a course of months and then got offered my first interview, for The All-in-One Company. The interview was great, I met a group of fantastic people and even got to get involved in the different areas of work within the production process of the business. The role I was applying for involved using an embroidery machine to personalise the onesies, I spent most of the interview here with Steve, the current embroidery technician at the time. I left the factory smiling hoping it went well, then received a phone call later to say I had been successful and that I could start work the following Monday. Monday 26^th September 2011 - My very first day of working for The All-in-One Company! After a very busy year, I got moved onto quality control, which left open the embroidery technician role, so Kate decided to take on an apprentice to fill this position. I was then offered since previously leaving college, whether I wanted to go back and complete the same course along with the new apprentice, so I accepted. This is where I met Becky, an amazing hard worker and now great life-long friend. We powered through the level 2 course, which was especially set up for us! From 2012 to 2013 we covered a range of different topics, from all aspects of the business to a lot of health and safety. After completing the level 2, we went forward to completing the level 3. The level 3 was much tougher, a lot more work was required from us. From late 2013 to March 2015, we whizzed through project after project, covering more in depth scenarios on how a business is run and why this is put in place, and why that is the way it is. Whilst working very hard in college, Becky and I were given the opportunity to spread our wings within the workplace, and to gain knowledge in different areas of work in the business. Becky went for marketing, and I went for administration and online customer service. Little by little, we were fed information about the new roles we were interested in. The more time we spent in these new areas of work, the more knowledge and experience we gained. After flying through the level 3 and working hard in gaining all forms of knowledge in different areas of work, I am now positioned in online customer services, administration, quality control, and I’m now back to being the embroidery technician too, where it all started. I couldn’t have had a better experience of working for such an amazing company, with amazing people. And having the opportunity in going back to college! I currently have no plans for my future, I’m the girl that takes each day as it comes and when an opportunity for something great arises, I act on it. I’m still proudly working for The All-in-One Company, it’s been such a journey. And I’m sure such a journey is to come.