What is the apprenticeship?

The apprenticeship runs for 15 months in our Made in England factory, where you will learn everything about footwear manufacturing at Dr. Martens, including the tanning process, sizing, other footwear constructions, and health and safety. For our apprentices, no two days are the same but from day one you’ll be alongside the product team doing hands-on work with additional development at Northampton College.

What do we look for in applicants?

We look for people who are passionate about Dr. Martens, thrive on working with their hands, enjoy being part of a team, are driven by targets, and work best in a fast-paced environment. You must also be keen to learn and flexible with what you’ll be doing each day.

Is there an age limit?

There is no age limit; you are never too old to learn a new skill. However, you do need to be at least 18 years old.

What qualifications do you need?

You just need a GCSE grade C or 3/4 (or equivalent) in Maths and English. There is no cap on qualifications, some of our apprentices have come to us with degrees.

What is the application process like?

There’s a short application form and we’ll need your CV. If you are successful, you will be invited to have a video call with a member of the Talent Acquisition team followed by a half-day assessment session at the factory. This will include 4 factory related tasks, a short interview, and a chance to meet current apprentices and the Made in England factory team. It’s all very informal, as much for you as for us. We then make our final selection and send out offer to start the apprenticeship in September.

Do you need footwear production experience?

Definitely not. You just need a willingness to learn new skills.

What qualification do you gain?

A Footwear Manufacturer Level 2 qualification is equivalent to a GCSE. We are closely connected with Northampton College, where you’ll progress your learning throughout the year, as well as with other companies in the footwear industry around Northamptonshire

After the apprenticeship

For graduate apprentices, there's the potential for a permanent position in the factory, where you will develop and hone your craft while continuing to learn new skills. Previous apprentices have further developed their careers in the factory and in office positions, including Factory Administration, Sourcing Administration and Product Development.