A Branch Manager’s perspective on work experience
Nurturing Young Talent: By Jason Barrow, Oadby Branch Manager, Schoolwear Solutions
At Schoolwear Solutions, we don’t just provide uniforms, we provide opportunities. Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of leading our work experience initiative from our Oadby branch, and it’s been one of the most rewarding aspects of my role as a branch manager.
With six stores across the region, our Oadby branch has become a hub for best practice in work experience, welcoming an average of 40 to 50 students each year. Seeing these young people grow in confidence, develop essential skills, and in many cases, return for summer jobs is proof that work experience is more than just a placement—it’s a launchpad for future careers.
Why we prioritise work experience
For many students, school uniform is something they wear every day, but they rarely stop to think about how it gets from a manufacturer to their wardrobe. Through work experience at Schoolwear Solutions, they gain an insider’s perspective, learning about:
- The retail experience – Customer service, stock management, and creating a welcoming shopping environment.
- The supply chain – Understanding how uniforms are sourced, made, and delivered.
- Ethical sourcing – The importance of sustainable, responsible manufacturing, and how we ensure our suppliers uphold fair working conditions.
- Business operations – The logistics of running a retail store, from sales to order fulfilment.
Providing students with this real-world experience does more than just fill a gap in their CV, it gives them an understanding of teamwork, responsibility, and professionalism, helping to shape their future career choices.
Ethical sourcing: A key learning opportunity
One of the most important aspects of the school uniform industry is ensuring that garments are ethically sourced. At Schoolwear Solutions, we work closely with suppliers who prioritise fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable production methods.
During their placement, students learn about:
- The importance of ethical manufacturing and how we select suppliers that align with our values.
- How sustainable fabrics and responsible production methods are becoming a greater priority in the school uniform industry.
- The impact of fast fashion and why high-quality, long-lasting uniforms help reduce waste.
This knowledge is eye-opening for many students, giving them a broader understanding of the retail industry’s responsibility to people and the planet.
Bringing students back for summer jobs
One of the most rewarding aspects of this programme is seeing students return to us after their placements. On average, 8 of our work experience students each year come back to work with us during the summer, taking on paid roles in customer service and stock management.
This is a win-win situation: students get valuable paid work experience, and we benefit from a team of enthusiastic young people who already understand how we work. By the time they return, they know how to engage with customers, how to manage stock efficiently, and most importantly, they feel like part of the team.
Many of our returning students have gone on to explore careers in retail, business, and logistics, using the skills they developed at Schoolwear Solutions as a stepping stone to their future.
A Story of Growth and Success
One example that stands out is Jessica Cross who first joined us for work experience in Year 10. Initially quiet and unsure of themselves, they quickly developed confidence through customer interactions and stock handling. When they returned to work with us during the summer, they thrived, taking on more responsibility and proving to be a valuable member of the team.
Beyond customer service skills, Jessica was particularly interested in how uniforms are made and sourced. Learning about fair trade cotton, ethical factories, and the move towards more sustainable materials gave them a new appreciation for responsible business practices. This inspired them to explore a career in fashion retail and sustainability, showing how work experience can spark new passions and career aspirations.
Interested in work experience?
As we continue to grow, I’m passionate about expanding our work experience programme, ensuring that more students have access to real-world learning opportunities. We are always looking for ways to improve and refine our approach, ensuring that each student who walks through our doors gains valuable skills and insights that will serve them long into the future.
At Schoolwear Solutions, we believe in nurturing the next generation—not just through the uniforms we provide, but through the opportunities we create. I’m proud to be part of a company that sees the value in investing in young people, and I look forward to welcoming even more students in the years to come.
If you’re a student or school looking for a meaningful work experience get in touch with me today: jason.barrow@newplansolutions.co.uk
