The Sector Skills Council for fashion and textiles has launched a nationwide campaign to highlight the increasing skills crisis in the UK fashion and clothing industry.
Skillfast-UK says there is a lack of skilled recruits entering the fashion industry. It aims to encourage fashion colleges and universities to teach essential technical and commercial skills, such as pattern-cutting and garment construction, as well as nurturing students’ creativity.
In the UK, approximately 3,000 students graduate from fashion courses each year. However, top designers and clothing brands say they struggle to employ quality staff, because new recruits lack technical skills, business awareness and production knowledge.
The ‘No skills, no fashion’ campaign has been launched on the eve of London Fashion Week 2008.
Linda Florance, chief executive of Skillfast-UK, said: “There are many talented graduates leaving university each year without the skills that fashion houses need, which results in talented graduates failing to get a job and leaving the industry, and a fashion sector facing a growing skills crisis.”
Skills minister David Lammy said: “The ‘No skills no fashion’ campaign highlights the pressing need for employers, education and training providers and government to work together to boost skills levels within the fashion industry.”
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