Firms pledge to tackle skills issues

Jan 8 2008 by Henryk Zientek, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TWO local companies in the textile industry have pledged to help tackle skills shortages in the industry.

Elland-based Century Dyeing and Camira Fabrics, which has premises in Meltham and Mirfield making fabrics for items ranging from office chairs to bus seats, are among 14 of Yorkshire’s leading firms to join forces with Skillfast-UK, the skills council for the fashion and textiles sector.

Designers, technologists, owner-managers, human resource professionals and production specialists from 14 firms will bring their skills and experience to Skill-fast UK’s new sector advisory boards covering areas such as design, footwear, laundry and technical textiles.

Skillfast-UK has set up the sector advisory boards to shape proposals on training and provide feedback on government policy.

The boards were established by Skillfast-UK following the Leitch Review which acknowledges the skills problems faced by employers and puts them in the driving seat to shape the changes.

Skillfast-UK chief executive Linda Florance said: “We are thrilled to welcome the new board members and we look forward to working with them to make a positive difference to skills in the sector, now and in the future.

“With the expertise of employers from Yorkshire and across the UK, we are confident we can make a real difference.”