Craftsperson Review

I was working in the cutting area on a daily basis and doing some ink work as well along with some prep work on the bags. so to give me a whole range of knowledge of what a bag involves on a day by day basis. every Friday we would do our college bit to gain the qualification from the theory side

It was completely new to me so I learnt an awful lot of skills as I had no idea how a handbag was made or what it involved. which has helped me develop now to what I do. there was external training as well to improve your personal skills or courses to go on to gain new skills or qualifications.

I enjoyed the apprenticeship, the pay for an apprentice was really good at the time. the hours were quite good as well and it was a new experience for the company taking on a batch of new apprentices which they had never done before. so there was a lot of press local and national coverage at the time. so for the company it was an exciting time as well.

Quite valued due to recognition at the end of the apprenticeship we got 100 pound bonus plus the fact we were the first intake so there was a of press coverage which was nice. I highly doubt I would be in the weekend telegraph magazine for example or on more 4 news again. which happened during the time of the apprenticeship

organisation could of been better but as we were the first intake it was all very new to the company. However after a while it got more settled and the year on year apprentices it got more structured. I imagine for the future. they still are taking on apprentices yearly which is very good for the business and for people to gain a qualification and a new set of skills.

The trainer was excellent at the time was a real good mentor would always go out your way to feel eased and helped and would always help you in whatever way that he could. Very approachable guy. also tried to get workers to try and get involved and support the apprentices as at the time it was a nervy place to work in a big factory with a lot of experienced workers.

pretty good at the time the manager was supportive of the apprenticeship along with the director and he always wanted to know how it was going etc. as mentioned before the trainer was very supportive in what we did and the apprentice scheme. I would say the attitude to supporting was very good.

at the time the pay was really good for an apprentice I lived local to it as well so travel costs were not much either. canteen was cheap as well so you didn't spend to much. so really I was having a lot of disposable income at the time when getting paid which is great when you are 18 at the time. so could save money.

there were company events / activities that happened at the time. there were lots of discounts and benefits of working at mulberry at the time. where mulberry was based there were lots of local football teams or social events or town etc. so the work social side. Was good as people would go for a drink after work. for myself I would play football train

Yes

I would recommend the apprenticeship because you will be gaining brand new skills and also a qualification at the end of it. the pay for an apprentice is not bad at all for a job. but also being in the business yourself if you have a qualification or done the scheme it can potentially take you quite far with in the company. lots of other ex apprentices have gone on to bigger things within the company. so there is room for progression quite quickly

Be enthusiastic, really show you want the job. but be confident as well. but also say you would like to progress or want to expand on your skills and knowledge that you will gain from the apprenticeship. Mulberry really like and recognise people that are pro active within the role they are in. If you work at mulberry work hard. build good links with your colleagues would be my advice and always show that you want develop