This International Women’s Day, we’d like to celebrate Dawn Foxall, Founder of the Textiles Skills Centre, for her work advocating for improvements in textile education at school and beyond.

Dawn founded the Textiles Skills Centre in 2015 with the goal of supporting textiles teachers and ensuring that textiles education continues to thrive in the UK. Today, the centre has a dedicated team of volunteer associate members and a strong core of trainers who develop courses and resources, mentor teachers, and manage networking events and social media.

To date, the Textiles Skills Centre has trained over 2,000 teachers through in-person workshops, launched a mentorship programme that has supported over 300 textiles teachers, and, since lockdown, developed 30+ online courses. It has also hosted over 100 FREE monthly CPD events (‘Tea ’N Chats’), featuring textile artists, curriculum specialists, and skills experts.

Beyond supporting textiles teachers, the centre’s mission is to champion textiles as a vital subject — not just within schools, but across industry, the education system, and among parents. We strive to engage all stakeholders in recognizing the subject’s relevance and real-world impact. To drive this forward, the Textiles Skills Centre conducts research and publish reports that are widely acknowledged and referenced by both industry leaders and academics.     

Dawn said: 

“Textiles education equips students with essential life skills, fosters creativity and instills a sense of responsibility, preparing them for a sustainable and expressive future. My work has strengthened textiles in our education system, amplified its importance, and given the subject a voice among those with the power to drive change.” 

Thank you Dawn!

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UKFT’s focus on Skills and Training

As the Government appointed Sector Skills Body (SSB) for fashion and textiles, UKFT works to address critical skills gaps and develop industry-led solutions. We help to elevate the skills of the UK fashion and textile industry to maintain its competitive position globally. 

We bring together education and industry to respond to current and future workforce requirements. We develop new vocational and academic routes that meet the needs of business and promote careers and opportunities to the next generation. 

We help fashion and textile businesses to attract, train and retain the best. 

UKFT SKILLS & TRAINING