You could do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in a subject like:

• fashion
• art and design
• textiles

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

You could take a college course to learn skills in pattern cutting, sample machining and computer-aided design.

Courses include:

• fashion design
• fashion and textiles
• art and design
• T Level in Craft and Design

Look for courses that teach both the creative and technical side of the job. These will give you the practical skills that employers look for.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could apply to do a Garment Maker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship takes around 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and classroom learning.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You could start as a general assistant with a fashion company or retailer, then work your way up by doing training and gaining qualifications in fashion design.

There is strong competition for jobs in the fashion industry, so it will help if you can get some experience and make employer contacts through internships, work placements or volunteering.

This will give you an understanding of the role and can help with interviews.

The British fashion industry supports initiatives like the National Saturday Club for young people aged 13 to 16, looking to learn about fashion careers.

You'll need:

• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• to be flexible and open to change
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As a fashion design assistant, you could:

• research fashion tends, fabrics and trims
• contribute ideas during the development of new clothing ranges
• produce sketches and designs by hand or with design software
• help create patterns, samples and prototype garments
• inspect product quality during the design process
• add product details to a management system for production and sales
• deal with customer orders and deliveries

You could work in a creative studio or in a workshop.