UKFT Careers Campaign
As part of our commitment to promote the wealth of careers, employers and training opportunities available in the UK fashion and textile industry, UKFT works with local industry, training providers, schools and recruitment organisations to deliver an annual series of career events and job fairs across the UK.
With a careers stand at each event, our team of industry experts offer advice, guidance and, in some cases, hands-on industry tasters to new entrants. Our team is joined by employers and Education Partners who deliver demonstrations, highlight in-demand jobs, offer career guidance and suggest resources and opportunities. The information and activities provided on stand are tailored to each region ensuring guidance is specific to the local employment landscape.
The ‘have-a-go’ sessions delivered by employers and Education Partners are a great way for potential new entrants to get a taste of techniques, skills, and equipment used in the industry. Depending on the space and venue the sessions can include knitting, dyeing, colouring, computer-aided-design (CAD), weaving, fabric draping & modelling, industrial sewing, design and pattern cutting.
National, regional, and local job and training opportunities are promoted at the events via the UKFT Futures job boardand our social channels. We encourage visitors to start their journey by joining the growing UKFT Futures community, specially designed to explore opportunities and find their path into a career in the UK fashion and textile industry.
How to Get Involved
Help us spread the word about careers, training and opportunities across the industry. Here’s how you can get involved:
Employers & Education Partners
- Send your job or apprenticeship opportunities for UKFT to promote for free at job fairs
- We can promote vacancies for UKFT members at any time via the UKFT Futures job board
- Join us at an event to promote careers in the fashion and textile industry
- Donate your time and/or equipment to support our ‘have-a-go’ sessions
- Send products and information for us to display on stand
- Spread the word about UKFT Futures
If you are not yet a member of UKFT find out more.
2026 Schedule
Job Fairs
Careers Events
Each event can attract up to 10,000 visitors from schools and colleges including school leavers, students, parents and carers. At the events, UKFT raises awareness of the industry, career paths, apprenticeships and education opportunities.
- Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair: First Direct Arena, 11 February 2026
- Scottish School & College Leavers Festival: SEC, Glasgow, 3 & 4 March 2026
- National Apprenticeship & Education Show: Salford Community Stadium, Manchester, 10 March 2026
Job Fairs
These events are aimed at job seekers and will promote the sector and local vacancies in the region.
- UK Careers Fair, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, 6 November 2026
Past Events
The Careers Campaign programme has been running since 2018 with the aim of bringing new entrants into careers across the fashion and textile industry, with a particularly focus on vocational training and technical roles where the industry experiences skills shortages.
“There are currently thousands of job vacancies in the UK fashion and textile manufacturing sector. While there are several reasons for this, the absolute key is that so many people don’t know that there is still a manufacturing industry here in the UK with a huge range of fantastic jobs available. Right now around 120,000 people are employed in the UK manufacturing industry and collectively they produce over £9 billion pounds of fashion and textiles every year.”
UKFT Chief Executive Adam Mansell
Regional Careers Fairs
The UKFT Futures Stand has been showcasing at regional careers shows since 2018 including:
The Scottish School and College Leavers Festival: UKFT attended the Scottish School and College Leavers Festival at the SEC in Glasgow in March 2026. Our partners ACS Clothing, Heriot-Watt University and Glasgow Clyde College delivered activities ranging from garment repair to weaving demonstrations, whilst promoting vocational qualifications in Scotland.
Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair: Joined by member organisation Textile Centre of Excellence, UKFT attended this high-profile event in February 2026 and promoted vocational training pathways to young people, helping them discover opportunities in their region.
National Apprenticeship and Education Shows: UKFT have attended numerous National Apprenticeship and Education shows, including the Salford event in March 2025 & 2026, and the Edinburgh event in September 2025. UKFT were joined by Education Partners at these events including The Manchester College, Edinburgh Kiltmakers and Cashmere Circle.
The London School and College Leavers Festival: UKFT were joined by Education Partners Chelsea College of Arts, Caramel Rock, Albion Knitting School, University of Westminster & Fashion Technology Academy at the event in November 2025. Partners delivered hands-on activities and promoted their course offering.
National Career Guidance Shows: UKFT attended 2 National Career Guidance Shows in 2025 in Leeds and London. We met with local careers advisors, teachers and parents to inform them about why a career in fashion and textiles is a viable option for young people.
Skills London: UKFT was joined by member Apparel Tasker in November 2022 where visitors could discover various vacancies advertised by local employers on our live job board. We also organised hands-on industry activities. Read more
Skills Cymru: UKFT was joined by Gower College and Fashion Enter, in October 2022, who delivered Industrial Sewing, Adobe and Pattern Cutting workshops. Read more
Skills Scotland: UKFT attended Skills Scotland in November 2022 with local industry partners. Activity included a Pattern Cutting and Draping workshop delivered by Glasgow Clyde College; Recycling activity delivered by ACS Clothing; Weaving and Screen Printing by Herriot Watt and Industrial Knitting by Barrie Knitwear Read more
Skills Yorkshire Show: UKFT joined Burberry, Keighley College and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership at the Skills Yorkshire Show in November 2019 to promote the thriving industry in Yorkshire, with a range of career paths that can offer international opportunities. Read more
Derbyshire Skills Festival: At the Derbyshire Skills Festival in September 2018 UKFT members John Smedley, David Nieper and specialist training provider KTL Ltd, worked with young people to show them what kinds of skills would be involved in a promising career in the industry. Read more
Festival of Making: At the Festival of Making in Blackburn in 2018 UKFT was joined by Blackburn College and Herbert Parkinson of the John Lewis Group to promote the fashion and textile sector. Over the two day period we helped around 350 people to create a sewn product on our industrial flatbed machines and overlockers, with a further with 1,500 visitors stopping to view the stand and exhibits.
Contributing companies included Gledhills, Milliken Industries, Cookson & Glegg, John Spencer Textiles, Ian Mankin Textiles, Reed Medical Footwear, Panaz Textiles, Mallileus woven, Linzi Jay Bridal, Herbert Parkinson, The Senator Group and Lantex Homeware.
Interested in getting involved?