Equal-Works

Background 

The textile and clothing sector in the UK is dominated by small businesses employing fewer than ten people. The continuing decline in employee numbers in the industry has been affected by the move towards flatter organisational structures and fast response manufacturing, towards higher margin ‘niche’ products such as fashionwear, new ICT applications, and advanced manufacturing and design technologies, all of which point to the need for greater multi-skilling and employee flexibility. A high proportion of the workforce have no qualifications (29%, more than twice the national average), few are qualified at NVQ Level 3 and above, and the average age of employees is increasing. While opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled staff and operatives continue to decline, there is likely to be growing demand for generic management skills and specialist technological design, ICT and processing skills which add value to the business.

Aims

This partnership's aims are to develop and pilot innovative models and approaches to assist small businesses and their employees within the clothing and textile sector in East London to adapt to the impact of changing market conditions and new technologies on business competitiveness.

Objectives

• Raise awareness amongst employers of the implications of structural change within the sector and the need for workforce development
• Identify and test new business support and training services
• Develop and pilot new flexible learning programmes, progression and career pathways through learning centres accessible in the workplace and community and a sector-specific Virtual Learning Centre
• Create a mentoring network to deliver a comprehensive service
• Encourage collaborative working practices between designers, manufacturers and retailers developing business networking and common services in technology, design and marketing.

• Provide accredited training programmes for manufacturers and access to online marketing via a Manufacturers Showcase
• Savile Row Bespoke Ltd and NCFE pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship tailoring courses
• Sector-specific training up to NVQ Level 3 in Business, IT and Garment Construction
• Fashion Futures 1 and 2 training projects for 14 to 19 year-olds
• Develop a lean manufacturing unit, a sample unit and a quick response unit within the London Action Resource Centre enabling workforce and owner training in new technologies and manufacturing techniques
• Evaluate job competencies and profiles to improve existing curriculum.

• Sole traders and individuals employed in the fashion and textile sector
• BME groups
• Women
• Older workers