In September last year the Alliance Project was commissioned to analyse the viability and scope for growth in UK production. The project was initiated by UK textile baron David Alliance, non-executive director of UK retailer N Brown, and backed by the government and local authorities.
The conclusions of their research projected a worrying future for UK made apparel .
‘We have an ageing workforce and no real pipeline to save the skills we have,’ says Lorna Fitzsimons, director of the Alliance Project, in an interview with WGSN.
It seems companies have problems finding the right skill sets in younger people, most still needing suitable training. However research shows many people who used to work in the industry are considering retirement. If younger people are not encouraged to get involved and educated appropriately, it looks like a vital set of experience is at risk of being lost.
This is something I have noticed, even in the two weeks I have been at Bridge & Stitch. All the factories I have visited or fabrics manufacturers I have spoken to, no one appears to be in the process of being trained, or a recent graduate.
It seems other areas of the fashion and textiles industry, which are often marketed as creative and glamorous, have been successful in promoting themselves to become a more tempting offer to young graduates.
Fitzsimons believes a joint government and industry campaign is needed to rebrand the industry and convince people it is a sector worth working in.
Negotiations with government over elements of the offer are currently ongoing. If successful, the money will be used to provide grants to firms with the greatest potential in an effort to drive growth in the supply chain.
Investments, meanwhile, are being made in companies with potential for growth to help them develop, with Fitzsimons saying that pilot projects are being initiated to show what can be done.
‘Retailers have a responsibility to look at the UK and see what’s out there.’ says Paul Sort, managing director of N Brown. ‘They need to work more with manufacturers to give them confidence for their long-term future.’
Interested in the current position of the UK in the global fashion and textile industry, and how the UK is an attractive offer to smaller businesses ? Read more here: http://www.wgsn.com/content/report/Business_Strategy/Business_Insight/2013/October/uk-production–growing-the-industry.pdf
