International Women’s Day 2025: Jenny Holloway, Founder of the Fashion Technology Academy
06/03/2025
This International Women’s Day, we’d like to celebrate Jenny Holloway, CEO and Founder of Fashion Enter and the Fashion Technology Academy, for her work revolutionising vocational training in fashion and textiles in partnership with UKFT and SEG Awards, developing industry-relevant Level 1 and 2 certifications in stitching, pattern making, machine maintenance and more.
Jenny Holloway has worked closely with John West, Director of Skills at UKFT, since the incorporation of the first Fashion Technology Academy in 2010 based in Haringey
Jenny said: “When we first opened in Haringey I remember being incredibly disappointed by the offer of vocational skills for garment making. The qualifications were just not for purpose. Then I met John!”
During a three-year period Jenny and John then created new Level 1 and 2 awards and certificates in a host of sector specific qualifications that covered stitching, pattern making, machine maintenance, cutting and more.
Fast forward 15 years and today these qualifications are the main stay of their academies which have now expanded to Leicester, Islington and Newtown in Wales where they partner with Newtown College. The Haringey Head Office is still going strong.
Jenny said:
“The major expansion of our skills-based academies prove how important vocational skills are today. Thousands of people have undertaken our courses creating new jobs and the creation of new brands in fashion today. Without that initial help from John and the Skills Education Group (Awarding Body) none of this would have been possible.”
Thank you Jenny!
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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.