APPRENTICE PRODUCTION OPERATIVE CLOSING ACADEMY

CHURCH & CO. (FOOTWEAR) LIMITED

Northampton (NN5 5JB)

Closes in 26 days (Friday 13 March 2026)

Posted on 12 February 2026

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Contents

Summary

The apprenticeship offers structured training across all departments. You’ll learn to use machinery, make quality shoes, and complete a final project designing your own pair. Training focusses on Closing Skills like stitching and beading. Applicants should show commitment to becoming skilled artisans.

Wage

£23,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Footwear manufacturer (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Thursday 7:30am-4:30pm and Friday 7:30am-12:30pm.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 13 April 2026

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

6

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  • Perform closing operations, predominantly postmachining across a range of machines. 
  • Carry out both hand beading and machine beading/bindover processes. 
  • Operate perforation machines and eyeleting machinery to required standards. 
  • Maintain (Agrade) qualification in flat machining operations. 
  • Work closely with Northampton Product Development and Artisan Product Development teams to support the creation and refinement of products to company standards. 
  • Undertake additional tasks within the department as assigned by the Room Manager or management team to ensure safe, efficient processes and continuous workflow throughout the department and factory. 

Where you'll work

St James
Northampton
NN5 5JB

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

NORTHAMPTON COLLEGE

Training course

Footwear manufacturer (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Read and interpret information. For example, specifications, manuals, production plans, handover notes.
  • Organise own work.
  • Follow health, safety, and environmental procedures in line with regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Apply sustainability principles. For example, minimise energy usage, minimise waste, and recycle materials.
  • Follow operating procedures.
  • Identify and check resources. For example, material and components.
  • Select, check, and set up tools and equipment.
  • Use and operate tools and equipment to conduct footwear manufacturing processes. For example, cutting, skiving, lasting, stitching, forming, attaching, and finishing.
  • Apply footwear manufacturing processes.
  • Store tools and equipment.
  • Conduct in-process production quality checks.
  • Follow post-production procedure. For example, label and package.
  • Monitor own performance data.
  • Collect and record information.
  • Identify and segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
  • Follow basic maintenance procedures. For example, clean, oil, and lubricate machinery.
  • Identify and resolve common faults and issues.
  • Escalate issues.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with cyber security and GDPR.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate with others using footwear terminology. For example, colleagues, customers, and managers.
  • Complete and record learning and development activities.
  • Read and interpret information. For example, specifications, manuals, production plans, handover notes.
  • Organise own work.
  • Follow health, safety, and environmental procedures in line with regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Apply sustainability principles. For example, minimise energy usage, minimise waste, and recycle materials.
  • Follow operating procedures.
  • Identify and check resources. For example, material and components.
  • Select, check, and set up tools and equipment.
  • Use and operate tools and equipment to conduct footwear manufacturing processes. For example, cutting, skiving, lasting, stitching, forming, attaching, and finishing.
  • Apply footwear manufacturing processes.
  • Store tools and equipment.
  • Conduct in-process production quality checks.
  • Follow post-production procedure. For example, label and package.
  • Monitor own performance data.
  • Collect and record information.
  • Identify and segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
  • Follow basic maintenance procedures. For example, clean, oil, and lubricate machinery.
  • Identify and resolve common faults and issues.
  • Escalate issues.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with cyber security and GDPR.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate with others using footwear terminology. For example, colleagues, customers, and managers.
  • Complete and record learning and development activities.

Training schedule

1 day per 2 weeks to take place at Northampton College.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 3)
  • Maths (grade 3)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Practical & Technical Ability
  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Spatial Awareness

Other requirements

Applicants must not contact the employer directly. Any direct contact will result in disqualification from the application process. 

About this employer

The Church’s Industrial Factory based in Northampton has been hand crafting shoes since 1617. In 1999, Church’s joined the Prada Group, marking a new era of modern design, strategic growth, and international recognition rooted in artisanal heritage. 

https://www.church-footwear.com/gb/en/churchs-world.html?tagSelected=chnuxevents (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Free Parking.
  • Onsite Canteen. 

After this apprenticeship

Potential for a full-time position once the apprenticeship is complete and progression within the company. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NORTHAMPTON COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014310.

Apply now

Closes in 26 days (Friday 13 March 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.