Uniting the Fashion & Textiles Industry – The GTA
30-04-2013
Dedicated to high-quality training and apprenticeship schemes the Association has been set up to unite the fashion and textile industry to build on training skilled individuals in the country’s growing manufacturing sector.
The employer-led network, funded by the National Apprenticeship Service and supported by Creative Skillset, will bring together employers with similar skills needs to identify possible funding opportunities and to develop joint approaches in skills development. The service will also promote apprenticeships, forging links with schools to offer detailed career advice around the specific apprenticeship roles available.
Bill Macbeth, Managing Director of the Textile Centre of Excellence, said:
“Our industry is facing some major challenges. The growth of the global market for top quality goods, the strength of the ‘Made in the UK’ brand, together with changes in off-shore manufacturing conditions, is stimulating the renaissance of our fashion and textiles manufacturing sector. If we are to capitalise on this opportunity we must improve the skills of our workforce at all levels. We need to rebuild capacity in our companies and we need to increase the number of motivated young people joining the sector and undertaking good quality apprenticeships.”
“Our new national Group Training Association will enable us to respond more effectively to the skills needs of employers and learners,” said Macbeth. “The GTA is employer-led and will create a strong partnership between companies, training providers and key industry bodies. Through the National Apprenticeship Service and Creative Skillset campaigns, we are already seeing an increase in the number of apprentices. We now need to build on that to ensure that our companies and our people achieve their full potential.”
The service the Fashion and Textiles Group Training Association provides fits in perfectly with the apprenticeship programmes and placements provided via Fashion-Enter.
Jenny Holloway from Fashion-Enter & FashionCapital comments:
“Having worked in the Fashion Industry for the best part of 30 years I have realised that training and education is vital for the future sustainability for fashion in this country. This is why we have invested so heavily in the apprenticeship programme and whilst this is an amazing programme its not enough. We have to review the requirements nationwide; the training providers need to work as one as a team. This is why I support the GTA and I am expecting this to be a proactive organisation that implements good practice throughout the country and industry. It’s time for REAL change!”
In the picture from left to right: Annie Warburton (Creative Skillset), Jenny Holloway (Fashion-Enter), Barry Sheerman (MP Huddersfield), Paul Johnson (W T Johnson & Son and Chair of Creative Skillset’s Fashion and Textiles Skills Council), Bill Macbeth (Textile Centre of Excellence).
