You’re hired: Scottish textile makers to recruit more apprentices

SCOTLAND’S textile manufacturers are working together on the nationwide roll-out of an initiative aimed at encouraging more young people into the industry, following the successful launch of a modern apprenticeship scheme in the Borders last year.

The plans, which are due to be unveiled tomorrow at the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, build on a programme that began in October, when 14 knitwear manufacturers joined forces to address a skills crisis that threatened the survival of the historic industry.

Developed with Creative Skillset, an independent body that works with industry and government to identify and tackle skills shortages in the creative industries, the scheme has proved so successful that the Scottish Textile Industry Association (STIA) is now seeking to replicate the model across the whole industry.

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STIA chairman David Breckenridge said: “Unfortunately, there has been a perception that this is a dying industry with no future. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“Despite the recession and all the problems in the global economy, the knitwear industry is extremely buoyant at the moment and the mills are very busy. There’s no reason to believe that won’t continue.”

He said 60 apprentices have now been taken on across the Borders. Firms including Barrie, Eribe, Hawick Knitwear, Peter Scott, William Lockie & Co and Scott & Charters put their competitive differences to one side to collaborate on the scheme, which could see a further 150 modern apprenticeships created this year.

Hawick Knitwear, which employs 230 people, has taken on 13 apprentices and production director Ian McLeod said the firm plans to bring on more trainees every year. He said: “Over the years, the industry has downsized so people have been reluctant to come into it as they see it as an industry in decline. By generating this opportunity to get a qualification, young people can see the development potential.”

Breckenridge said the collaborative model could be applied to manufacturers in other sectors, who face similar problems with attracting and retaining young workers.

“It’s worked particularly well for us in the Borders and we’re about to take that out on a national basis, operating something very similar to what’s being done here,” he said.

Breckenridge is also project manager of the Scottish Textile Academic Group, a government-funded initiative involving 14 colleges and universities, including Cardonald College, which has taken a lead role in developing the apprenticeship programme.

Alasdair Smith, Creative Skillset’s Scotland director, said: “It’s all about bringing industry together to develop a structured route for young people and making the sector more appealing.

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“We couldn’t get where we are without the support of the industry. Their collaboration and co-operation will help us deliver on our promises.”

The other companies involved in the scheme are Caerlee Mills, Hawick Cashmere, Holland & Sherry, House of Cheviot, Johnstons of Elgin, Kearse & Boys, Lochcarron and Robert Noble. Creative Skillset hopes to add a further nine Borders manufacturers to the list this year.

McLeod, who has been with Hawick Knitwear for 35 years, said the industry needs to continue bringing in new blood if it is to survive.

“In the past, vacancies have been absorbed by closures of other companies, but the industry is more stable now and there is a need to bring in new people,” he said. “There are progression opportunities. All our production managers started on the shop floor.”

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