The UKFT Education Partners Conference brings together our member universities, colleges, and private training providers to address the critical challenges facing fashion and textile education and its pipeline into industry.

Our 2026 conference will take place on Tuesday 19 May at the University of Manchester, who are kindly sponsoring the event. This year’s conference will focus on supporting the UK fashion and textiles industry to recruit, train and retain a world-class skilled workforce.

In the face of an ever-changing education system, and increased demand for industry-led skills to keep the UK fashion and textiles sector competitive, there is a need for a delivery system that works for all stakeholders, that:

• Develops training provision to industry set standards
• Delivers critical training to match employer expectations
• Works for differing cohort sizes
• Overcomes geographical training barriers
• Harnesses the learning opportunities available through innovative technology.

Attendees will hear from experts from industry, skills provision and research organisations including Skills England, JISC, Abraham Moon and Sons, Heathcoat Fabrics, AW Hainsworth, JD Sports, Fashion Toolbox, AMRC (Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre) and ACS Clothing.

The conference offers an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration between education and industry, ensuring a resilient and competitive UK fashion and textiles sector.

UKFT Education Partner membership facilitates greater connectivity between education and industry to support an infrastructure that is responsive to current and future industry requirements; to supply a critical pipeline of skilled new entrants into employment; and to unlock important research, funding and innovation opportunities.

Interested to find out more about the event?

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