David Nieper Education Trust

With a good education you can go far. With a good school, good skills training and learning from the experience of our very best people you’ll have the best chance in your career, wherever that may be. The next generation holds the key to Britain’s future and it’s our Education Trust’s mission to give something back to its community by sponsoring education at every level.

We sponsor all stages of education, from primary and secondary schools to University scholarships and fashion skills training. Education doesn’t just benefit our company, but also our industry, our community and our country.

For more details contact pamela.holland@davidnieper.co.uk

“Sponsoring the David Nieper academy is our way of investing in the future and giving something back to this wonderful community”

- Christopher Nieper, Managing Director

David Nieper Academy

The David Nieper Academy is a secondary school for 850 pupils age 11-18. It’s situated in the heart of Alfreton, our hometown and its aim is to give its pupils a winning advantage with a good education enriched by experience from many local employers. It’s a marriage of vocational with academic, employers and educators working together for the benefit of the pupils.

The school is one of Britain’s most ambitious and innovative educational ventures and the first to be privately sponsored by a fashion business. The curriculum is designed to give students the best possible chance of getting a good job or apprenticeship – or a head-start in further education at college or university.

For more information visit davidnieper.academy

Primary education

As well as sponsoring David Nieper Academy, we also support primary schools in our local area. One of the fun things we do is our annual Fashion for Free! Competition. Children design and create something to wear using recycled materials they find around their homes or school. They also receive prizes and awards along with a guided tour around our Derbyshire sewing rooms and design studio with their classmates

For more details contact rebecca.alton@davidnieper.co.uk

Building careers in British fashion

We firmly believe that high-quality vocational training is vital in helping individuals reach and fulfil their ambitions. We also want the British fashion industry to grow and thrive – right here at home. So we support vocational training for the fashion industry at universities and colleges, and through apprenticeships.

Undergraduate scholarships

We work with the University of Derby and Chesterfield College to support fashion and textiles students. As part of an annual design award, we brief students to create a womenswear capsule collection, using excellent technical and creative skills. Experts here at David Nieper select the winners, who receive £cash prizes and the chance of a paid internship.

Setting the standards for apprenticeships

We have led the Government’s National Trailblazer for apprenticeship standards in fashion. This includes garment technology, pattern cutting and sewing skills.

The David Nieper Sewing Academy

Our sewing school is based on-site here at David Nieper. It ensures that authentic dressmaking and knitting skills are passed on to future generations – and that sewing standards in our factory remain at the very highest level. Run by two of our most experienced dressmakers, the sewing school is at the heart of our commitment to high-quality training and skilled employment in the fashion industry, right here in Derbyshire.

For more details contact pamela.holland@davidnieper.co.uk