The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) is progressing cross-sector action to address long-standing challenges in how graduate employment outcomes are classified for fashion and textile courses, following sustained engagement with education, data and government stakeholders.

Building on an industry report developed with its Education Partner Network, UKFT has moved discussions forward through direct engagement with Jisc and wider sector partners to examine how graduate destinations within the fashion and textile industry are captured and interpreted within national data systems.

Central to the issue is the use of Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes, which underpin Graduate Outcomes data. A number of recognised graduate entry roles across the industry, including assistant buyer, merchandising, production and technical studio positions, are currently classified in ways that do not reflect their graduate-level skill requirements. As a result, positive employment destinations may be recorded as non-professional outcomes.

UKFT has now met with Jisc representatives, including members involved in national occupational data discussions, to explore routes for reform. The next phase of work will focus on engagement with the Office for National Statistics to review how sector roles are described within SOC codes and to ensure industry language more accurately reflects contemporary career pathways.

Improving understanding of Graduate Outcomes data across higher education also forms a key part of ongoing activity. Representatives from the Graduate Outcomes team will attend UKFT’s Education Partner Conference in May, providing course leaders with guidance on supporting student engagement with the survey and strengthening awareness of how outcomes data influences regulatory assessment by the Office for Students.

Graduate Outcomes metrics play an important role in institutional performance monitoring, including Teaching Excellence Framework assessment and B3 conditions. Misclassification of industry roles risks distorting perceptions of course performance, contributing to increased scrutiny of established fashion and textile programmes despite strong employment demand from industry.

UKFT’s sector working group, convened in late 2024 and comprising universities across the Education Partner Network including representatives from Manchester Metropolitan University, Bath Spa University, De Montfort University, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Southampton, University of the Arts London and the Association of Fashion and Textile Courses, developed a set of practical recommendations. These include informing future occupational classification reviews, improving graduate outcomes literacy for students and institutions, and establishing clearer alignment between higher education data systems and industry employment structures.

UKFT Graduate Outcomes report

As the UK’s trade association and Sector Skills Body for fashion and textiles, UKFT is working collaboratively with education providers, data agencies and government bodies to ensure graduate outcomes frameworks accurately recognise specialist creative and technical careers. Strengthening this alignment is seen as essential to protecting skills pipelines, supporting informed regulatory decision-making and sustaining long-term growth across the UK fashion and textile sector.

UKFT SKILLS & TRAINING