EPISODE · Apr 15, 2026 · 43 MIN
Special: How to Launch a Career in Fashion Buying & Merchandising
from Life at Next · host Life at Next
Discover what it takes to launch a career in one of the UK’s most renowned graduate trainee schemes! 🎓In this episode of the Life at NEXT Podcast, we sit down with Fiona and Jess from the Product Academy to explore opportunities in Buying, Merchandising, Design, and Technology.We delve into how NEXT supports trainees through a structured 12 month programme designed to help you excel, regardless of your background. Whether you are a geography graduate, a school leaver, or considering a career pivot, our academy provides the tools to build your expertise in a business that never stands still.Join us to find out how you can make an impact and push the boundaries of your career!00:00 Intro01:13 What is the NEXT Product Academy? (Graduate Trainee Scheme)02:32 Meet the Team: Learning & Development Roles at NEXT03:03 AI for Product: Transforming Efficiency in Fashion04:44 The Purpose of the Academy: Building a Foundation of Excellence05:53 Diversity in Recruitment: Why You Don’t Need a Fashion Degree07:31 Fiona’s Career Story: From Store Staff to Training Manager09:17 Beyond Process: Training Soft Skills and Resilience11:00 Jess’s Background: Transitioning from Charity to Retail Training12:01 Levelling the Playing Field for Design and Tech Trainees13:00 What is a Technologist? Garment Fit, Aesthetics, and Quality14:42 Industry Leading: Why NEXT Training is the Gold Standard15:51 Retention and Culture: Why People Stay at NEXT for Decades17:09 A Structured Pathway to Success: Month 1 to Promotion18:18 The "Lightbulb Moment": What Drives a Learning Specialist?19:18 From University Lecturer to Product Academy Manager21:11 Training AI: Overcoming the Fear of New Technology22:22 Innovation and Gaps: Never Standing Still in Training23:30 Terminology and Jargon: Breaking Down Industry Barriers25:40 Know Your Learner: Tailoring the Approach to Gen Z26:24 The Knowledge Confidence Matrix: Tangible Growth29:51 The Impact of AI: Freeing Up 4 Hours for Creativity32:00 Is AI a Threat? Why AI Has "No Taste"34:00 Behavioural Shifts: Moving from Google Search to Generative AI36:47 Curiosity: The Spark That Lifts the Business39:20 Advice for Students: Why Anything is Possible at NEXT41:14 The Power of Resilience: Dealing with Failure in FashionDon't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to receive updates on everything Life at NEXT! 📣Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team 🚀 https://careers.next.co.uk/?utm_source=Organic+Social+&utm_medium=YouTube&utm_campaign=Podcast_Special_EC Follow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnextFacebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn
What this episode covers
Discover what it takes to launch a career in one of the UK’s most renowned graduate trainee schemes! 🎓In this episode of the Life at NEXT Podcast, we sit down with Fiona and Jess from the Product Academy to explore opportunities in Buying, Merchandising, Design, and Technology.We delve into how NEXT supports trainees through a structured 12 month programme designed to help you excel, regardless of your background. Whether you are a geography graduate, a school leaver, or considering a career pivot, our academy provides the tools to build your expertise in a business that never stands still.Join us to find out how you can make an impact and push the boundaries of your career!00:00 Intro01:13 What is the NEXT Product Academy? (Graduate Trainee Scheme)02:32 Meet the Team: Learning & Development Roles at NEXT03:03 AI for Product: Transforming Efficiency in Fashion04:44 The Purpose of the Academy: Building a Foundation of Excellence05:53 Diversity in Recruitment: Why You Don’t Need a Fashion Degree07:31 Fiona’s Career Story: From Store Staff to Training Manager09:17 Beyond Process: Training Soft Skills and Resilience11:00 Jess’s Background: Transitioning from Charity to Retail Training12:01 Levelling the Playing Field for Design and Tech Trainees13:00 What is a Technologist? Garment Fit, Aesthetics, and Quality14:42 Industry Leading: Why NEXT Training is the Gold Standard15:51 Retention and Culture: Why People Stay at NEXT for Decades17:09 A Structured Pathway to Success: Month 1 to Promotion18:18 The "Lightbulb Moment": What Drives a Learning Specialist?19:18 From University Lecturer to Product Academy Manager21:11 Training AI: Overcoming the Fear of New Technology22:22 Innovation and Gaps: Never Standing Still in Training23:30 Terminology and Jargon: Breaking Down Industry Barriers25:40 Know Your Learner: Tailoring the Approach to Gen Z26:24 The Knowledge Confidence Matrix: Tangible Growth29:51 The Impact of AI: Freeing Up 4 Hours for Creativity32:00 Is AI a Threat? Why AI Has "No Taste"34:00 Behavioural Shifts: Moving from Google Search to Generative AI36:47 Curiosity: The Spark That Lifts the Business39:20 Advice for Students: Why Anything is Possible at NEXT41:14 The Power of Resilience: Dealing with Failure in FashionDon't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to receive updates on everything Life at NEXT! 📣Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team 🚀 https://careers.next.co.uk/?utm_source=Organic+Social+&utm_medium=YouTube&utm_campaign=Podcast_Special_EC Follow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnextFacebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn
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Special: How to Launch a Career in Fashion Buying & Merchandising
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