This International Women’s Day, we’d like to celebrate Paula Gamester MBE, CEO of The Sewing Rooms, for establishing the ‘Licence to Sew’ programme in Lancashire, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, to train local people (17+) to become skilled machinists and secure employment in local manufacturing.

Paula founded The Sewing Rooms to empower women to become economically active and independent as they learn new skills through the creative format of sewing.  The Sewing Rooms is a social enterprise that trades to tackle social problems, based in Skelmersdale. Its goal is to improve the personal and environmental health and wellbeing of the communities it works with, as well as improve peoples’ life chances. This is done through bespoke training workshops and a manufacturing department that makes bespoke products for private and corporate clients.

Two years ago, The Sewing Rooms was approached by a large local sewing manufacturing company which had job vacancies but no skilled workers so asked if it could train local people.  They approached UKFT and found out about the new production sewing machinist training programme, secured funding through the government to run a pilot, and here is the result:

• 21 individuals graduated and gained the qualification
• 7 have secured employment with more job outcomes to follow.
• 7 are looking to set up their own business
• 2 have gone onto secure places at University to further their studies within Textile and Design
• 5 are continuing with their learning at The Sewing Rooms

Paula said:

“I’ve got the best job in the world, I am the founder of The Sewing Rooms, a Social Enterprise, and our aim is to inspire our students and help them secure jobs or set up in business. There is nothing more rewarding than witnessing our students flourish and brimming with confidence, ambition, determination and hope for the future. All this through sewing. It fills me with such pride as I know that many of our students have overcome so many challenges.”

Thank you Paula!

DISCOVER MORE INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN: IWD 25

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