The All-in-One Company flourishing thanks to apprentices

A company which revived traditional skills by creating a new item of clothing is flourishing thanks to the contribution of its apprentices.

Seven years ago this month The All-in-One Company in Ashington produced its first onesie for adults.

Since then their create your own, handmade onesies have sold all over the globe as well as becoming favourites of reality TV shows and advertisers.

Seven years ago this month The All-in-One Company in Ashington produced its first onesie for adults. Since then their create your own, handmade onesies have sold all over the globe as well as becoming favourites of reality TV shows and advertisers.

The business brought together machinists and cutters who had been made redundant when clothing manufacturer switched abroad.

It also provided practical training and employment for Mandy Evans, 22, and 19-year-old Becky Lynn who have just completed three year apprenticeships in Fashion and Textiles in partnership with Northumberland College.

Their lecturer Rachel Burns said: ”It’s so important for companies to provide training in partnership with colleges because, although new apprentices do not have the actual workplace experience, they can offer a fresh perspective and new ideas which are just as valuable to a growing business.”

The All-in-One Company founder and director Kate Dawson said the pair have both become increasingly important to the business.

“Mandy came for an interview after her textile foundation course at Northumberland College and Becky was one of our first models when she was 13, before coming here for work experience and then starting as an apprentice. So they’ve been around the business for a long time. They know it inside and out and have both become crucial members of the team. We couldn’t do without them,” she said.

For their apprenticeship Mandy and Becky worked in all areas of production – from design to dispatch.

Mandy, from Ashington, now specialises in customer service and administration, although she still helps out with embroidery and product inspection. Becky, who lives in Ellington, works in marketing, where one of her jobs is to write a blog a day for The All-in-One-Company website. She also embroiders.

“Work in factories is often seen as repetitive and dull. But it’s nothing like that here. We always have to be on our toes. Each day is different and each design is different. It all depends on the customer’s imagination,” said Mandy.

“I love the creative side of the work,” said Becky. “I do start with a blank piece of paper every morning. I feel I have developed quicker and further through the apprenticeship. I’m sure I’m a lot more confident than if I had stayed at school or gone to university.”

Their lecturer Rachel Burns said: Young people often have strong technology skills which come from using computers and tools such as social media from an early age and they can use this knowledge to build competitive advantage for a business.

“Mandy and Becky were able to utilise their technology skills to promote The All-in-One Company in a number of ways by creating blogs, devising monthly newsletters, website building as well as Facebook – helping the business to flourish and thrive internationally”.