What is the apprenticeship?

The apprenticeship runs for 15 months in our Made in England factory where you will learn everything to do with footwear manufacturing at Dr Martens as well as the tanning process, sizing, other footwear constructions and health and safety. Our apprentices are brand ambassadors, so no two days are the same. 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.

What qualifications do you need?

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

What do we look for in applicants?

We look for people with brand knowledge, a passion for working with their hands, a team and target driven approach who thrive in fast paced environments. You must also be keen to learn and be flexible day to day.

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 a half-day assessment session at the factory. This will include 4 factory related tasks and a short interview plus a chance to meet current apprentices and the Made in England team. It’s all very informal, as much for you as for us. We then make our final selection and send out offers, to start in September.

Do you need footwear experience?

Not at all! Just a willingness to learn new skills.

After the apprenticeship?

The aim of the apprenticeship is to offer successful graduates a full-time position in the factory where they can continue learning new skills and honing their craft. Previous apprentices have further developed their careers in the factory and in office positions such as Factory Administration, Sourcing Admin and Product Development.

Age Limit?

There is no age limit!! You are never too old to learn a new skill.

Pay and Perks?

The pay is significantly higher than for most equivalent apprenticeships. There are lots of perks working for Dr Martens, free welcome pair of shoes/boots, discount on products, healthcare and pension benefits. There’s an early finish on Fridays, a great culture around wellbeing, community, charity days and social activities to get involved in.