UKFT is launching two new projects to help support future talent in the fashion and textile industry. The projects aim to endorse opportunities to young people of either working with or within a UK manufacturer.
Commenting is UKFT chairman, Nigel Lugg. “Our UK manufacturers work with some of the best-known luxury companies around the world including names such as Balenciaga, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada, but you can also find UK-made product in many high street stores.
“We make textiles that are used by Rolls Royce and that are up in the International Space Station, dresses for Ralph and Russo, jumpers for Chanel, jeans for Belstaff and suitcases that are used by James Bond.
“However, in order to maximise this opportunity, we all need to be encouraging a new generation to join our industry.”
The first project, Made It, is a campaign to promote a better understanding of sourcing, production and the benefits of UK manufacturing to the next generation of buyers, designers and entrepreneurs.
Made It will ensure the UK’s future creative talent has the right skills to work in the UK manufacturing industry. Together they can continue to deliver the breadth and quality synonymous with UK fashion.
Made It will also see UKFT working with five universities a year for the next three years. This will help ensure that students get a much better understanding of the manufacturing environment. Also, how they can help the UK’s manufacturing sector thrive once they leave university and enter the industry.
UKFT will be delivering masterclasses to second and third-year students at the chosen universities. It will offer five students per year a paid, term-long placement at a UK manufacturer.
The second project is an initiative to help address one of the major barriers to growth faced by UK manufacturers; attracting new talent into this vital part of the industry.
Commenting is UKFT chief executive, Adam Mansell. “There are currently thousands of job vacancies in the UK fashion and textile manufacturing sector. While there are several reasons for this, the absolute key is that so many people don’t know that there is still a manufacturing industry here in the UK with a huge range of fantastic jobs available.
“Right now, the UK manufacturing industry employs around 120,000 people and collectively they produce over £9 billion pounds of fashion and textiles every year.”
Furthermore, a UKFT Pop-up Factory and Careers Showcase will run at 30 major careers events over the next three years.
More than 150,000 people will visit these events. The pop-up factory will allow young people to have a go at making things. They can also talk to local employers about job opportunities and find out about new apprenticeships.
The two projects have been made possible by the support of the Clothworkers’ Company, The Drapers Company and CapitB.
