BOOST RETENTION WITH A SMOOTH PROGRESSION PATH FOR BUYING & MERCHANDISING TEAMS
The Level 6 Assistant Buyer/Assistant Merchandiser apprenticeship is the ideal specialist route for buying or merchandising admin assistants, allocators and other junior roles to move forward in their careers.
Building on existing foundational skills, this programme develops learners' commercial and operational understanding in order to drive increased growth and profit. Offering a complete overview of best practice in buying and merchandising, learners will explore the core responsibilities of their role while gaining skills in leadership, project management and financial planning.
Key Information
- Explores trading and develops commercial instincts and strategic thinking
- Encourages professional behaviour and develops leadership
- Builds confidence in analysing market data, budgeting and sales planning
- Hybrid, online and in person delivery
- Practical experience balanced with theoretical learning
APPRENTICESHIP DETAILS
The Level 6 Assistant Buyer/Assistant Merchandiser apprenticeship offers focused progression routes for buying and merchandising teams across the retail sector.
- Open cohort starts in March/April and September/October
- Closed cohorts can start at any time
- Hybrid, online and in-person delivery
- Practical experience balanced with theoretical learning
The Level 6 Assistant Buyer/Assistant Merchandiser programme explores the modern retail landscape and the importance of the buying and merchandising functions within it, while developing effective project and team leadership skills. Learners will build on these foundations and increase their knowledge of budgeting and sales planning, product development and sourcing, and interpreting and reporting sales performance.
On completion of this course, apprentices will be confident in researching, analysing and presenting market trends and business data to inform efficient and commercially-driven decisions. Buying modules will introduce a range of product development models and responsible and sustainable sourcing, while merchandising modules look in-depth at analysing trading patterns to identify trends and produce accurate forecasts.
The Level 6 Assistant Buyer/Assistant Merchandiser apprenticeship costs £10,000 per learner which includes End-Point Assessment.
Apprenticeships can be funded from your Apprenticeship Levy or by Government Co-Invest. If you do not pay the Levy, the Government will fund 95% of the programme, meaning you pay as little as £500 per person you enrol. We are also able to offer privately funded places for any employees not eligible for apprenticeship funding. For further information about funding options, eligibility and costs, please contact us.
- Bespoke off-the-job learning plan
- Programme Manager overseeing the learner journey and apprentice experience
- Delivery of the programme by retail experts
- Blend of sessions including online learning, webinars, in-person workshops, and individual coaching and support
- Preparation and support for End-Point Assessment
- Dedicated Client Manager
- Access to FRA resources including WGSN, LinkedIn Learning, Global Data, Business of Fashion, Fashion/Beauty Monitor and Drapers
- Online e-Portfolio
- Monthly progress report
Next Open Cohort
March/April 2024
September/October 2024
Closed Cohorts
We can begin a closed intake apprenticeship at any time that suits your brand. We require a minimum of 10 learners to offer a closed cohort for Level 4 Buying & Merchandising Assistant apprentices.
Duration: 16 months
The Level 6 Assistant Buyer/Assistant Merchandiser apprenticeship typically takes 16 months to complete, followed by a period of end-point assessment. For our closed-access programmes, the programme duration and delivery model can be flexible to support business objectives – please get in touch to find out more about the options available.
Module 1: Retail Business Environment
- Introduction to retail business models
- Factors affecting industry
- Challenges & opportunities
- Retail business environment
- Multichannel trading
- Brand management
- Consumer behaviour
- Digital concepts
- Legal framework
Module 2: Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting
- Strategic planning
- Product range planning
- Product life cycle
- Market research & trends
- Option planning
- Margin planning
- Product development
- Ethical & sustainable sourcing
- Supply chain management
Module 3: Trading
- Distribution & allocation
- Space planning
- Trading using WSSI
- Sales performance
- Markdown & promotion
- Seasonality
- Anticipating & interpreting trends
- Re-forecasting
Module 4: Strategic Thinking & Management
- Strategic business models
- Globalisation & internationalisation
- Business analysis
- Mergers & acquisitions
- Strategic growth
- Stakeholder management
- Project management
- Leadership & management
End-point assessment
For the Level 6 Assistant Buyer/Assistant Merchandiser apprenticeship, end-point assessment is provided by EFI Awards. EPA typically takes 3 months to complete.
EPA comprises work-based project including presentation and Q&As, and professional discussion.
It’s a true collaboration between two organisations that have in common creating opportunities and opening doors for young people.
Andy, Director of Buying Operations, TJX Europe