Students gain business diplomas with top fashion and lifestyle brand in Easter break - Camden Rise

Camden secondary school students have gained business diplomas with King's Cross-based company Ted Baker as part of a new programme, which took place over two days of the Easter holiday.

The leading fashion and lifestyle brand has been working with local schools as part of the Camden STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) initiative, run by the Council and Camden Learning with local 'STEAM Pledge' employers.

The Ted Baker Business Diploma was launched on 4 and 5 April at the Camden Learning Centre, with sixth-form students from Regent High School and LaSWAP taking part in challenges relating to the fashion business, menswear, womenswear and sustainable fashions - then presenting their ideas to a panel of senior managers from Ted Baker, Camden Council and Camden Learning.

The young people were set challenges in finance, buying, menswear and womenswear design and sustainability on the way to achieving gold, silver, or bronze certificates. 

Ted Baker has developed an excellent online resource with video and other guidance for schools and young people – partnering with Camden STEAM to pilot the resource with young people. It will now be shared widely with Camden Schools and beyond. The diploma allows young people to get to know the workings of a business, meet its staff and get insights into the challenges and rewards of a fast-moving brand. 

The launch during the Easter holiday enabled young people to work in teams to complete challenging and authentic tasks, presenting back their ideas to a panel. Young people had to think about the sustainability of materials; review profit and loss of two Ted Baker stores; consider costs and profit margins and choose materials - all while being in the role of creative directors for a season's clothing and accessories range, creating mood boards inspired by 1970s styles.

Peter McDonough, Communities Advisor from Ted Baker (as well as Ted's Historian!), said: “The Ted Baker Business Diploma is the latest in a long run of challenges, work experience and careers advice training that we have developed and delivered with the Camden STEAM team. We're thrilled with the results of our latest partnership.

"The Camden students were hugely engaged and thoughtful, and their presentations were of an exceptionally high quality. In June, the Ted Baker Business Diploma will be made available for all secondary schools in Camden to use. Thanks to the help we have received from our friends in Camden, the diploma will soon be available to young people across London and in other cities in the UK.”

Rion, of Regent High School Sixth Form, said: "This experience will help me when I go into a business and place of work in the future hopefully. I've really enjoyed the teamwork skills I have built, including with students from other schools and an employer. It has really broadened my horizons. I'd never have thought of myself working in the fashion and textile industry but I have really enjoyed it."

For more information about the Ted Baker Business Diploma, Camden STEAM and opportunities with Camden STEAM and Ted Baker, please email steampledge@camden.gov.uk