Urban Outfitters’ apprentice program will open doors for aspiring fashion designers.
Urban Outfitters Inc. and the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design launched a two-year apprenticeship program to cultivate a broader talent pool for the fashion industry.
Made to Measure: The URBN x Drexel Apprenticeship Program provides a customized curriculum for those seeking careers in fashion design, along with on-the-job training from the lifestyle retailer that got its start in University City.
“I am so pleased to announce the launch of this unique learning program,” says Richard A. Hayne, chief executive officer of URBN. “As the fashion industry evolves, we must be more imaginative in seeking out and cultivating creative talent. By providing participants with access to hands-on learning, traditional coursework and post-graduation employment options, we are creating significant value for all parties.”
The apprenticeships are available to individuals interested in careers in fashion design who demonstrate an aptitude for creativity and have yet to pursue postsecondary studies.
“The fashion industry is changing — and so is higher education,” Westphal Dean Jason Schupbach says. “By creating a rigorous, nontraditional education format with direct pipelines to creative careers, we’re giving students from all backgrounds an unprecedented opportunity for success.”