Fashion and Textiles Group Training Association launches

England’s first Fashion and Textiles Group Training Association

has been launched with the aim of uniting the fashion and textiles industry in a “shared approach to high-quality training”.

The employer-led network, funded by the National Apprenticeship Service and supported by Creative Skillset, plans to bring together employers with similar skills needs to benefit from economies of scale, identify possible funding opportunities and to develop joint approaches in skills development.

Additionally, the association plans to promote apprenticeships and will be working closely with schools to offer specific career advice around the various apprenticeship roles available.

Bill Macbeth, managing director of the Textile Centre of Excellence, explained: "Our industry is facing some major challenges. The growth of the global market for top quality goods, the strength of the ‘Made in the UK' brand, together with changes in off-shore manufacturing conditions, is stimulating the renaissance of our fashion and textiles manufacturing sector.

“If we are to capitalise on this opportunity we must improve the skills of our workforce at all levels. We need to rebuild capacity in our companies and we need to increase the number of motivated young people joining the sector and undertaking good quality apprenticeships."

Creative Skillset's head of partnerships, Annie Warburton, said: "The Fashion and Textiles Group Training Association will offer employers the chance to shape their own training agenda and enhance their workforce with the skills needed for future success.

“With employers driving the initiative, working with the National Apprenticeship Service, Creative Skillset and quality training providers, this is an innovative, ambitious new partnership approach to attract, train and develop the talent that industry needs to compete and grow in a rapidly evolving market."