This International Women’s Day, we’d like to celebrate Faith Johnson, Chief Executive of Caramel Rock, for her work using fashion to engage young people in East London with education, creativity, and career opportunities.

Faith founded Caramel Rock as an educational charity that uses fashion to engage young people in need, helping them develop creativity, skills and confidence for life beyond the programme. Inspired by her own experiences growing up in East London, Faith launched Caramel Rock during her first year at university to provide support – particularly for young women – who lacked opportunities compared to their male peers. Since gaining charity status in 2010, Caramel Rock has focused on empowering young people and NEET individuals (those Not in Education, Employment, or Training), fostering lasting personal development and a sense of belonging.

Faith Johnson believes that fashion is more than an industry – it’s a platform for change. Through her work in fashion education and creative arts, she has dedicated herself to equipping people with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in the fashion and textiles sector. By providing training in design, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship, she helps create pathways to economic independence, sustainability and innovation.

In an industry that often lacks inclusivity, her work ensures that talent, not privilege, determines success. She champions hands-on learning, mentorship and collaboration, enabling women to turn their creativity into opportunity. By fostering a new generation of skilled professionals, she is not only shaping the future of fashion but also driving social and economic change.

Faith said:

“Fashion is more than creativity – it’s a powerful tool for empowerment. By equipping people with skills in fashion and textiles, we accelerate action toward economic independence, sustainability, and innovation. Education transforms talent into opportunity, and opportunity into lasting change. On International Women’s Day, I stand committed to accelerating action – because when we invest in skills, we empower communities and transform industries.” 

 

Thank you Faith!

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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