International Women's Day - Education

Posted on: 12/03/2016

International Women's Day - Education In honour of Women's History Month and International Women's Day, we're taking the time to tell you Kate's Story, and today we're looking at how Kate and The All-in-One Company have worked alongside various Uni's, School's and Colleges. In 2012, Kate Dawson welcomed her first 2 apprentices into The All-in-One Company. Kate worked alongside Northumberland College to set up a new Apprenticeship in Fashion and Textiles for her apprentices, Mandy and Becky. Mandy, then aged 19, studied Fashion & Textiles at Foundation and BTEC levels at Northumberland College from 2009 to 2011, before joining The All-in-One Company. Mandy’s first role was training to become the embroidery technician, learning how to use the embroidery machine to personalise the onesies with all of your lovely names and messages. Whilst Becky, at age 16, had just finished her GCSE's and landed herself the apprenticeship after completing work experience at The All-in-One Company back in 2010. She began training on the embroidery machine, and soon took over as embroidery technician when Mandy began her job role in Inspection. Mandy and Becky covered a range of different topics, from all aspects of the business to a lot of health and safety, from 2012 to 2013 - the busiest year the company had ever seen. The girls not only worked full time at The All-in-One Company, but had to complete a full time course worth of college work in order to pass their Level 2. International Women's Day - Education After powering through the Level 2 course, Mandy and Becky began their Level 3 apprenticeship in Fashion and Textiles. From late 2013 to March 2015, Mandy and Becky whizzed through project after project, covering more in depth scenarios on how a business is run, while having the opportunity to spread their wings in the workplace. Gaining knowledge in different areas of work in the business, Mandy began her job role in administration and online customer service, and Becky began her Job role in Marketing. After flying through their level 3 and working hard in gaining all forms of knowledge in different areas of work, Mandy is now positioned in online customer services, administration, quality control, stock check and even back to being the embroidery technician too, where it all started. Becky now works full time in Marketing, taking over the role from Rachel Lister (who joined the company back in 2012 after completing a Fashion Marketing degree at University) when she left to go on Maternity leave in 2015. Rachel has now returned as Brand Manager, and Becky has continued on as Marketing Manager. International Women's Day - Education Kate  supported and empowered the girls throughout their apprenticeship, proving that you can do anything you set your heart too, no matter what any one may say. The girls have not only secured a full time position at The All-in-One Company, but they have also learned a great deal of skills with the ability to act now -  keep up with a fast moving company, working and keeping up with the times. Since 2008, Kate has worked closely with various schools, colleges and Universities, offering work placements and job roles. The sixth form students of Bedlington High  School were given the opportunity to take part in a photo shoot, modelling festival onesies, in 2010. Studying A-level textiles they were then given a second fantastic opportunity to design all-in-one onesies. Following a brief they used their creative skills to design onesies – and the response was amazing. A collection of ‘Go Green’ onesies were generated from design ideas and they looked fab! The concept of the collection was based on an important environmental issue ‘save energy by wearing a onesie’ – with cool green fabrics mixed with animal prints and embroidered messages. International Women's Day - Education Summer 2012 came around, and the students were invited back  to participate in a lifestyle photo shoot in Warkworth - and the results were amazing! International Women's Day - Education September soon arrived and some of the students had now started at university– However Kate asked them back  to take part in a lifestyle photography shoot. One of the students, Amy Raisbeck began studying Fashion Marketing at Northumbria University. On her placement year at university she spent her time at The All-in-One Company and had a fab 6 months! Her role gave her experience across different areas such as designing all-in-ones, pattern cutting to marketing activities and she got to be part of a great work team. During her time on placement Amy took part in further studio photography shoots modelling new design developments. 'My journey with The All-in-One Company has been amazing but most of all an unforgettable experience I can take with me. With the help and kindness of Kate Dawson – director of the company I have gained a wonderful experience and owe a very big thank you too.' - Amy Raisbeck International Women's Day - Education Following in the footsteps of the former sixth formers, were the new Year 10 students (that also attend Bedlington High School) came to visit the factory in 2014. The students came to spend the morning here at The All-in-One Company to see a real life business and how it was set up.They also got a behind the scene tour of how our onesies are made! International Women's Day - Education As a part of  Trading for Good, we find it important that we support charities and communities, improve our impact on the environment, work better with our suppliers, make life better for employees, and especially helping young people into work. That’s exactly what this day was about. The All-in-One Company's aim was to show them what is actually possible and what can be achieved in this industry. In July 2015, The All-in-One Company welcomed Ella, a year 10 student from Bedlington High School, who wanted to complete her Work Experience here. 'My mum suggested The All In One Company. They had offered students at my mums school the opportunity to come and do some modelling for their onesies in the past and my mum thought it was the perfect place because everything from marketing to cutting happens under one roof.'-Ella International Women's Day - Education' I like that they are part of Made in Britain, hand making everything here in the UK, yet delivering worldwide.  I really enjoyed my time at The All In One Company and am very grateful for the opportunity they gave me.'- Ella Ella got to experience each job role here at The All-in-One Company. 'I  experienced lots of roles in the making, selling and branding processes of the bespoke onesie company. From customer services and admin with Mandy to the sewing and packing of the onesies with Edith, Alison and Trina. I helped Lynn in the cutting room and she gave me some helpful tips for making my own textile projects at home. I also spent some time with Becky who does the marketing and I think fashion marketing is what I would like to do in the future.' Most recently, Kate welcomed in Fashion Marketing Graduate Rachel Robinson, who started her job role as Fashion Designer in August 2015. International Women's Day - Education“Before us nobody had thought about onesies for adults, but it was such a good idea that everybody began making them until the market became saturated. However, we’ve remained market leader and to stay like that we’ve got to keep coming up with new ideas – and that’s why it’s such good news that Rachel’s joined the team.” - Kate Dawson As well as designing new ranges of onesies she will be using her skills as an illustrator to develop the company’s brand and marketing materials!