From inspiring young people at large-scale careers events to working closely with education partners across the UK, the UKFT Skills and Training team has had a busy and impactful start to 2026.

Between January and April, the team has engaged with students, educators, parents and industry partners to raise awareness of the diverse opportunities within the fashion and textiles sector. Through hands-on activities, industry insights and collaborative events, this work continues to strengthen the pipeline of future talent.

Scroll down to read more about the UKFT’s Skills & Training team recent activity.

Careers Campaign (January-April 2026)

As part of our annual Careers Campaign programme, the UKFT Skills and Training team has been travelling across the UK to connect with young people aged 14–19, as well as parents and careers professionals. Through these engagements, we showcased the wide range of opportunities within the fashion and textiles sector, demonstrating that careers in the industry are both tangible and accessible from an early stage.

During National Apprenticeship Week in February, we engaged with over 400 young people at the Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair, held at the First Direct Arena and organised by Leeds City Council’s Employment and Skills Service. Joined by UKFT member Textile Centre of Excellence, the team spoke to attendees about vocational entry routes into the sector, with a particular focus on apprenticeships. The high-profile event attracted more than 10,000 visitors, many of whom were previously unaware of the diverse opportunities available within the fashion and textile industry in their region.

During Scottish Apprenticeship Week, UKFT attended the Scottish School and College Leavers Festival at the SEC in Glasgow, organised by NAS Events. Across the two-day event, UKFT were joined by industry and education partners. ACS Clothing delivered garment repair activities while promoting their apprenticeship opportunities; Heriot-Watt University introduced the fundamentals of weaving through an interactive keyring activity and shared insights into their higher education courses; and Glasgow Clyde College demonstrated fabric draping techniques and highlighted their course offering to young people.

UKFT engaged with over 300 young people during the event and signposted our careers platform UKFT Futures. as a key resource for young people to learn more about the industry.

In collaboration with Skills Development Scotland, we also hosted an evening session at the event with members of the employer TEG group, including Terumo Aortic and the Edinburgh Kiltmakers. This session highlighted the new BIIAB Level 4 Award in Fashion and Textiles, developed in partnership with SDS, UKFT and the employer TEG group. The qualification, introduced in Scotland in August 2025, was presented to individuals, parents and careers advisers, who play a key role in shaping young people’s career decisions. Read more here.

In March, UKFT attended the National Apprenticeship and Education Show at Salford Community Stadium. UKFT Education Partner Manchester College delivered interactive activities focused on sustainable practice, giving young people the opportunity to create brooches from recycled plastics and fabric off-cuts. UKFT engaged with over 150 young people at the event and noted a growing interest in the industry among attendees.

Engaging with young people, along with their parents and careers advisers, is a vital part of UKFT’s role as the Sector Skills Body. These activities help to raise awareness, inspire ambition, and build a strong and diverse pipeline of future talent for the fashion and textiles industry.

If you would like to get involved in future careers events or learn more about UKFT’s Careers Campaign, please contact info@ukft.org 

Education Partner events

As part of our mission to help bridge the gap between academia and industry, UKFT connected with our Education Partner network to share insights with students on the skills required for industry. Through presentations, workshops and networking events, the skills team supported students to better understand career opportunities and prepare for the world of work.

In January, we facilitated an alumni panel discussion on ‘What the Future Fashion Industry is Looking for in Graduates’ at Nottingham Trent University’s annual Creative Futures event and connected with students through our UKFT Futures stand.

We visited Manchester College in March and delivered our ‘Explore careers in fashion and textiles’ presentation to students studying fashion. Students were interested to learn about the wide range of careers across the sector and what employability skills the industry is looking for.

Employability and Partnerships Coordinator at Manchester College, Kate Heaton said ‘”The students really enjoyed hearing from UKFT about future opportunities in the fashion sector, and the insights into career pathways and industry expectations were inspiring and helpful. It makes such a difference for students to hear directly from a team with experience of industry, so we really appreciate UKFT taking the time to come in and share their knowledge.”

Alongside members of the Scottish fashion and textile industry, we attended Heriot-Watt University’s annual Industry Networking Day. We met with over 50 students currently studying fashion or textiles related degrees to discuss next steps after study, tips for finding internships and work experience opportunities, and how to stand out to employers.

Karen Beattie, Heriot-Watt University’s Student Placement Coordinator said “We truly appreciate UKFT taking the time to connect with our students and share insights about your organisation. Your presence played a key role in making the event a success. Students greatly benefited from learning more about your organisation as well as gaining valuable advice. Opportunities like these help bridge the gap between academic study and professional careers.”

In March we visited University of Leeds and hosted a careers session as part of their Employability PGT. The skills team highlighted the broad spectrum of opportunities within industry, and helped upcoming graduates build the confidence and knowledge needed to transition into the workplace. Students were interested to learn about apprenticeships, international student visas and ethical trading within the industry.

By connecting with our Education Partner student network in-person, the UKFT skills and training team were able to provide key insights on what the industry expects from graduates. As the Sector Skills Body for the UK fashion and textiles industry, UKFT’s skills and training work plays a vital role in developing an industry-ready workforce, proudly supported by our brilliant Education Partner network.

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