A skilled and adaptable workforce is essential for a resilient, competitive and future ready fashion and textile sector. As the Government- -appointed Sector Skills Body for fashion and textiles across all four nations, UKFT works with employers, educators and policymakers to attract new talent, strengthen existing skills and meet evolving industry needs.
We provide practical guidance, industry focused training, quality assurance and careers support to help businesses attract, train and retain- the best people.
Supporting skills and talent across the industry
UKFT brings together industry and education to respond to current and future workforce requirements. We develop and promote quality vocational and academic routes, support career progression, and help employers build the talent they need.
Industry skills support
Advice, guidance and tailored support to help businesses access training and workforce development opportunities.
Standards and qualifications development
Working with awarding bodies to keep qualifications up to date, and review and develop national occupational standards, ensuring qualifications remain current, relevant and industry-led.
Attract new talent
Promoting careers in fashion and textiles to the next generation and connecting employers with potential recruits.
Types of Training
Information on qualifications, apprenticeships, traineeships, bootcamps and bespoke training options to meet diverse business needs.
Bespoke training
Develop and deliver bespoke training to meet industry needs
Funding for training
Support in navigating funding options and financial support to make training accessible.
Careers promotion
Campaigns and resources designed to highlight the breadth of career opportunities in the industry.
Careers promotion
Bursaries
We provide a range of bursaries to help the next generation enter the industry.
Explore bursaries
UKFT Approved courses
Industry-reviewed training programmes recognised for quality and relevance.
UKFT Approved
Skills analysis and advisory service
Help to identify the right training solutions for your workforce.
Skills advisory service
UKFT Education Partners
Our network brings universities, colleges and training providers together with industry to support responsive, future-facing education aligned with employer needs.
Become a UKFT Education Partner
A wide range of training routes can support workforce development, from entry level- programmes to advanced technical learning. Training areas include:
Work based programmes that develop industry- -specific skills.
Online and practical training to build foundational production skills.
Courses designed to help supervisors and team leaders deliver skills development.
Flexible work-based- learning with a vocational focus.
Intensive, often funded training to bring new talent into the industry.
Funding supported routes to train young technical specialists.
Technical study programmes for 16 to 19- year- -olds including industry placements.
High-quality programmes reviewed against industry needs.
UKFT Approved recognises training courses that have been reviewed against industry requirements and designed with sector relevant content. This scheme promotes high- q-uality training that equips learners with the skills employers need today.
Key benefits:
- Recognition from the national Sector Skills Body
- Promotion through UKFT channels
- Assurance that course content aligns with employer identified- skill gaps
- Support for training providers and employers to benchmark quality and relevance
UKFT Futures is a dedicated careers resource for new entrants exploring opportunities in the fashion and textile industry. It provides insights into career paths, job roles, training routes and emerging skills needs, helping learners and educators understand the breadth of roles in the sector.
What you’ll find:
- Live vacancy board
- Career profiles and pathways
- Insights from industry employers
- Guidance on apprenticeships, traineeships and education routes
Equipping your workforce with the right skills delivers productivity, quality and competitiveness. UKFT’s skills and training support helps businesses address talent challenges through structured routes, practical guidance and employer -led solutions.
- Access industry-relevant training and quality assurance
- Guidance on funding, routes and recruitment pathways
- Support in attracting and retaining talented people
- Connections to education partners and training providers
- Promotion of your opportunities to new talent pipelines
UKFT works on projects that bridge education and industry to strengthen skills pipelines and employment pathways.
- Development and support for new Textiles course in Leeds
- Manufacturing course in Westminster
- Short course with the Textiles Centre of Excellence
- PSM Prison project
- Bursaries
- BAE Systems bespoke textiles training
- Support for the Burberry Centre for Manufacturing Excellence through delivery of team leader training for industrial sewing.
- Collaboration with Making For Change at Poplar Works to progress trainees into manufacturing roles.
- Ongoing industry engagement to address skills gaps and promote future skills routes.
Whether you are recruiting new talent, developing existing teams or exploring training routes, UKFT offers practical support and tailored advice.
Get personalised help to map training needs and access suitable routes.
Work with education and training providers to build relevant programmes.
Submit or identify courses that meet industry requirements.
Promote your vacancies and opportunities through UKFT channels and UKFT Futures.
Certain training resources, bespoke guidance and support services are available exclusively to UKFT members. Contact the skills and training team to learn more.
Strong skills underpin competitiveness and growth across the UK fashion and textile industry. With UKFT’s support, members can attract talent, develop capability and build resilient teams for the future.
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