UKFT has been working in its secretariat role to support industry employer groups to develop a new portfolio of apprenticeship standards in England to cover key job roles in the fashion and textile industry, ahead of the deadline for existing frameworks to be withdrawn in July 2020.

UKFT has worked with employer groups, with members including Burberry, Mulberry, Christopher Raeburn, Dr Martens, Gieves and Hawkes, David Nieper, Savile Row Bespoke, the Royal Opera House, Bower Roebuck, Samuel Brothers, Abraham Moon, British Millerain, AW Hainsworth, English Fine Cottons, WT Johnson & Sons, Bulmer & Lumb, Berendsen, Johnson Service Group, Pittards PLC, Harley Equestrian, Marton Mills, as well as the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and the Education and Skills Funding Agency to develop the new standards.

There are now 13 apprenticeships available (or soon to launch) in England covering everything from footwear manufacturing, dyeing and colouring, textile care services and leather work through to pattern cutting, fashion studio assistant, bespoke tailoring and garment making.

There are additional standards in the pipeline including materials cutter and knitting technician.

The move is part of UKFT’s aim to raise the skills and productivity of the people who work in our industry to the highest level, ensuring the UK fashion and textile sector remains competitive against global competition.

Since UKFT took over as Sector Skills Body for fashion and textiles in November 2017, the association has also been working to overcome barriers to take up including a shortage of End Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs), increasing the size of the training provider network and addressing issues associated with non-levy procurement, funding allocation and appeals.

UKFT is also working to address skills needs in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where the apprenticeship environment is different to that of England. There will be more announcements to follow but there have been significant breakthroughs in activity to date.

Wales

In Wales, there are two fashion and textiles apprenticeship frameworks currently managed by UKFT in terms of development, registration and certification.

• Fashion & Textiles (Lev 2 and 3) – FR04151. Apparel, Textiles and Tailoring.
• Fashion & Textiles: Technical (Lev 4) – FR04152. Technical Textiles / Product Development

We are pleased to confirm that the first Fashion and Textiles apprenticeship starts since 2015 were enrolled end April 2019 through Gower College and supported by UKFT.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, there are two fashion and textiles apprenticeship frameworks which have been reviewed by UKFT and were live to Northern Irish contactors from February 2019.

• Level 2 Apprenticeship Framework Fashion and Textiles – Framework No: App NI – Level 2 – 116.
• Level 3 Apprenticeship Framework Fashion and Textiles – Framework No: App NI – Level 3 – 422.

Scotland

In Scotland, there are two Fashion and Textiles Heritage Modern Apprenticeships (MA) Frameworks, which cover a number of occupations ranging from various technical roles that support manufacturing processes such as weavers, knitters, sewing machinists and technologists, to designers, through to laundry and dry-cleaning workers, and production and supply chain managers.

• Fashion and Textiles at SCQF Level 5
• Fashion and Textiles at SCQF Level 6/7

More to be announced shortly.