UKFT and The Textile Livery Group worked together to launch the Sustainability in UK Textiles conference to share best practice on sustainability within the UK textile industry and discuss how the sector can grow its capacity and capability, while remaining competitive.

Join UKFT

UKFT works with the entire textile supply chain covering fibre, yarn, fabric, finishing and beyond – supporting and promoting our sector in the UK and overseas. UKFT’s members include internationally-renowned cashmere mills, woollen and worsted fabric manufacturers, and silk weavers through to creative print and textile design houses, fabric finishers and cloth merchants.

UKFT unites members in our industry, coming together as a community to share ideas and seek solutions to common issues. The association is also championing our sector to government and raising awareness of textiles within the wider fashion and retail sector.

UKFT is helping to shape the future landscape of the fashion and textile industry to one where circularity and environmentally-sustainable supply chains are the new normal.

Find out more at www.ukft.org/membership

Supporting new talent into the industry

UKFT is working with The Textile Livery Group to create an inspirational and engaging website that will present the opportunities that exist within the UK fashion and textile industry to a new generation. UKFT Futures will highlight career resources and case studies to students, teachers, careers advisors and parents.

UKFT is also embarking on a programme of career events to promote our industry to young people. The first events in Cardiff, Glasgow and London will take place from October, followed by a full programme of events in 2023.

Find out more at www.ukft.org/skills-and-training/job-profiles or get in touch at info@ukft.org

Recruiting production roles into the industry

Recruitment is a critical issue for our sector issue. To help make finding candidates and jobs simpler UKFT has launched the UKFT Talent Pool – a recruitment portal for fashion and textile production roles. The site will help you find new people for your business and the candidate database allows you to filter and invite candidates that fit your vacancy.

Find out more at www.ukft.org/production-jobs or email info@ukft.org for details

Young Textile Technician Fund

UKFT’s Young Textile Technician Fund supports businesses in training young textile technicians. The fund will cover 50% of the costs of in-depth training for young textile technicians, thanks to the generous support of The Clothworkers’ Company, The Drapers’ Company and The Weavers’ Company.

The fund has recently supported young technicians at Halley Stevensons, John Spencer, Arville Textiles, Bute Fabrics and Pennine Weavers. It is open to businesses applying to train textile technicians under the age of 30.

Find out more at www.ukft.org/skills-and-training/funding-for-training/textile-technician-fund/ and email info@ukft.org to find out more