1. Part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils Skillfast-uk Sector Skills Council for Apparel, Footwear, Textiles and related businesses Celia Thornley Contact details- Tel: 07734070322 E-mail celia_thornley@skillfast-uk.org

2. Part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils Role of the SSCs Licensed to work with employers, government and education across the UK to identify the skills required to sustain and improve productivity and competitiveness within the sector. Skillfast-uk Following a successful ‘Trailblazer’ phase - fully licensed in 2004 Developed a series of direct initiatives to address immediate skills problems Developing long term strategic solutions to address skills issues for the future ‘The Big Push on Skills’

3. Part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils Sector Skills Agreements Five stage process leading to industry agreement to a programme of collaborative action: Stage 1: needs assessment Stage 2: analysis of current provision Stage 3: gap analysis Stage 4: scope for collaborative action by employers Stage 5: action plan with key delivery partners www.skillfast-uk.org

4. Part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils The Sector Employs approx 384,000 people - approximately 58,000 people in North West 80% of businesses employ 10 or less employees roles Generates approx £9.9bn GDP (2006) Up to four-fifths of employment falls within industries with a significant creative component Approx 1,000 people employed in design and related roles, including self-employment Approx 3,000 people are employed in the various sector craft

5. Part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils Sector creative components includes the design and production of - Soft furnishings and household textiles Carpets Knitwear Apparel Footwear Textiles

6. Part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils Occupations within the creative components include: Design roles Textile designer Digital print designer Carpet designer Apparel/knitwear designer Accessories designer Footwear designer. Production roles Garment technologist Fabric technologist Pattern cutter Pattern grader Sample machinist Fabric technologist Dyer / colourist Production tailor Craft roles Weaver / knitter Upholsterer – includes soft furnisher Skilled leather trades – includes shoe making trades Handcraft tailor Dress maker

7. Part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils High level skills gaps One in six businesses who employ designers identify skills deficiencies among the staff they employ, equivalent to one in seven staff affected Key areas of skills/knowledge that need to be improved: –Garment technology / construction, pattern cutting –Production knowledge –Costing –Computer-aided design –Knowledge of materials technology (e.g. leather) and design specialisms (e.g. footwear) –Sales and marketing –Sourcing and international trade –Multi-skilling –Experience

8. Part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils High level skills shortages Garment / textile / footwear technology including product development and processes Clothing / textile / footwear design and construction principles Technical service including material properties testing, sourcing, product evaluation, costing, standards Computer aided design/ICT and use of software programmes Quality management and assurance systems. Supply Chain management and logistics including international trade

9. Part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils Key areas for development Approaches to employer engagement at course, departmental and faculty level Approaches to work placement Technical skills delivery Modularisation Graduate Development Programmes for SME Employers CPD for working designers Business skills for designers CPD for academic staff Foundation Degrees: mapping existing provision, piloting WRL units based around existing employer training programmes