Business reaps what it sews- and helps mends skill-shortages in textile industry.
The Stitch Society is to address the skill shortage facing Yorkshire’s renowned textile industry. Launching The Textile Academy with a West Yorkshire college it hopes to provide sought-after sewing skills to the burgeoning textile and fashion industry.
The textile industry is worth £9 billion to the UK economy generating year on year growth. The government predicts the booming sector could generate a further 15,000 new jobs over the next few years, as sourcing fabrics and apparel from the UK becomes ever more attractive, in terms of superior quality and competitive costs.
But a significant skill shortage urgently needs to be addressed, if the region is to repatriate and capitalise on future demands. In the biggest study of the textile industry, for over twenty years, the government identified West Yorkshire as the most condensed area for textile manufacturing in the UK.
Chris Stott, Head of Business Engagement at West Yorkshire’s Keighley College said, “There is huge potential to create for job opportunities for young people as local manufacturers and retailers look to increase capacity. The Textile Academy will ensure the industry in the region continues to thrive by providing a talented source of technically experienced workers.
The government’s Alliance Report identified a disparity between the textile industry and educational institutions. We have engaged with manufacturers and worked closely with The Stitch Society to address the real skill-set needed in the market and developing a first-class apprenticeship scheme to match them.”
A £30,000 investment from the Textile Growth Fund has enabled the launch of the new textile academy at Keighley College.
The Stitch Society, an emerging new textile brand founded two years ago is collaborating with the college to fill the growing skills gap.
From its studio at the World Heritage Salts Mill in Saltaire, once the heart and of the world’s textile industry, the firm has cleverly woven history with on-line commerce to produce a revered collection of designer aprons, apparel and accessories.
It is the firm’s appreciation for preserving craftsmanship to make beautiful, functional, handmade garments that has led to its success. Its founder Charlotte Meek, a professional designer originally launched the company with a unique apron design featuring a pleated pocket: following its success, her pattern has since been patented.
Charlotte Meek said “There is a definite resurgence in Yorkshire’s textile industry and the need for an academy that will equip the market with talented, creative, people who are passionate and understand the full technical process. Graduates will be anything but ‘run off the mill’ when they step onto the shop floor of a local textile manufacture or design house.”
West Yorkshire’s reputation and prosperity is founded on its rich heritage of textile manufacturing; its skyline reflects the impact the industry has had upon its landscape. Despite competition from overseas manufacturing, the region’s most respected mills have continued to produce the lions-share of British fabric, still sourced by fashion houses and designers throughout the world.
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Notes:
Alliance Report can be downloaded as a PDf from Bew Economy
http://neweconomymanchester.com/media/1467/3234-j2747-alliance-project-report-lb-low-final.pdf
If you would like further information please contact Clare Potter – Manifest Marketing
Email: clare@manifestmarketing.co.uk Office: 01756 720 034