Fashion Roundtable's Response to Proposed Reforms on Further and Higher Education

Written by Heather Lafferty

As worldwide coronavirus-related deaths reach one million, the end of the month has been marked by a major speech delivered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiling a range of reforms to further and higher education. From April next year in England, the government will be offering adults of any age - previously only those up to twenty-three years of age were eligible - who do not currently have an A-Level or equivalent qualification, a free college course to help them train for a new job.

Here at Fashion Roundtable, we hope that the new policy will ensure workers have the skills they need to cope with changes to the economy as a result of COVID-19. But Fashion Roundtable continues to express our concern about a clear skills shortage in the garment manufacturing sector. Further support is undoubtedly needed to supply the British fashion industry, in order to ensure that UK fashion manufacturers can cope with the combined impact of the pandemic and the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

While previous measures to support the technical skills shortage in the industry were timely and welcomed - namely the Craft and Design T-Level course - this course is not due to begin until September 2023. This three year gap is several seasons in fashion terms, and a shortage of EEA workers that dominate this industry. Plus the financial strain placed upon business as a result of the pandemic, will undoubtedly exacerbate any existing pressures in this fantastic industry. This is why we have lobbied the government for garment workers in the UK to be added to the Shortage Occupation List for visas (SOL) with the Home Office and Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). Unfortunately the MAC decision will not be revealed before the UK leaves the EU, leading to further uncertainty at a time when we need to build on our business strategy to ensure orders for UK based manufacturers across 2021 and beyond.

We reached out to the Department for Education about this several months ago and are yet to receive a reply. We hope to speak with the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson MP at his earliest convenience to discuss a solution to this problem, and protect this vibrant sector now and in the future.