Amy has training sewn up

Scroll down for Video

THIS time last year Amy Squires had not touched a sewing machine in her life.

But now she is a dab hand after becoming an apprentice with Tibard, suppliers of workwear uniforms.

While earning money with the Dukinfield firm, she is training at Oldham College’s Sewing Academy.

Amy said: “The tutors at the sewing academy are lovely, especially Beverley Whittaker (the project co-ordinator) who stuck by me when I didn’t think that I could do it.

“She trained me up for a six-week course and encouraged me to keep going. She really believed in me and put in a good word at Tibard which helped me to secure my apprenticeship there.”

Amy works for Tibard from Monday to Thursday then trains at the academy on a Friday.

She has completed her Level 1 certificate in textiles and sewing and is now working towards her Level 2.

She added: “While at Oldham College I’m also studying maths and English, so it’s great to gain these qualifications as well as the sewing ones while also working.

“At first when you move on to a different type of chefwear such as going from an apron to a jacket, it takes a bit of getting used to. But now that I’ve been at Tibard for a few months it comes much more naturally. I’m also becoming a much faster worker than I was at first.

Recommend

“I had thought sewing wasn’t for me and that it was something for old people but it’s not like that at all and there’s a lot of young people doing this.

“It’s great to get back into the workplace as I hadn’t worked for a long time. It’s really enjoyable, a bit different and I’d recommend this to anyone. I’ve a three-year-old daughter so she gets spoiled on payday and that’s my main priority.”

Mrs Whittaker teaches across all areas of the sewing academy from sector-based work academies to Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships.

She said: “Lots of different people apply for courses here, both male and female, and it’s not just for the fashion industry.

“For example, in the underwear industry, some of our learners go on to work with more advanced fabrics such as lace and silk. We have taught people who now work on chefwear, schoolwear and even sewing strips of plastic for seats on nursery trolleys.

“The advantage of learning the trade here first is that they can develop their skills and learn from their mistakes before going into the workplace.

“The best thing about my job is seeing people, who have arrived without any skills or qualifications, gain new skills, certificates, confidence and usually a job too.”

The sewing academy boasts an impressive success rate with around 80-85 per cent of its students going on to apprenticeships or paid employment in the textile industry.