THE Scottish textiles industry is in urgent need of young talent to ensure its future success, senior sector figures have warned.
The industry specialists have hammered home their view that there is an appetite in domestic and international markets for textiles manufactured in Scotland.
They have also highlighted the need to recruit younger workers, given the age profile of those currently employed in the industry, ahead of the 'Stitch In Time' festival today at Dumfries House in Ayrshire. The event, which will be attended by Prince Charles, is aimed at secondary school pupils, who will have a chance to talk to people from the textiles industry and fashion designers.
John Sugden, of venerable Scottish tailor Campbell's of Beauly, said: "The average age of sewing staff here is 60, and I am trying to recruit an apprentice cutter/ tailor with great difficulty, and in the face of increasing demand. This is the story of Scotland just now, and has to be rectified."
Among the key staff at Campbell's of Beauly is long-serving cutter Tom Owen, the company's head tailor.
Mr Sugden said: "There is a massive shortage of skills in the industry and events like 'Stitch In Time' can hopefully help address this issue. The average age of employees is getting higher and the training period lasts a long time. For example, our head tailor is 67 years old and he learned from his father, and to train a cutter under him takes five years."
There are more than 540 textiles companies in Scotland, employing about 8,400 people in total, according to Scottish Enterprise. The Scottish textiles sector is worth £835 million annually to the Scottish economy, according to the agency, with exports valued at more than £365m .
Angus Nicoll, of Peter Greig & Co in Kirkcaldy, said: "The industry is not what it was, and this country has been talking for a long time about skills and production coming back to the UK, and I think that is happening now as there is a weariness of things coming from China all the time. There is an enthusiasm for provenance, and that can only be a good thing for the standing of our country."
Textiles industry veteran James Sugden said: "I ran Johnstons of Elgin for 25 years before retiring last year. In that time, we achieved great growth, with turnover increasing from £5 million to £50m and our workforce rising from 200 to 800. This proves that success can be achieved in textiles here in Scotland. The biggest challenge was always retaining and developing the skills needed to make beautiful textiles, for which this great country of ours is so famous.
"Ask any Italian where to get the best cashmere or tweed, and invariably the answer is here in Scotland. However, while we attempt to grow our industry, we are now really hampered by a lack of new entrants."
Victoria Stapleton, founder and creative director of Brora, said: "There are fabulous mills and companies that struggle and sometimes even close, which I think is incredibly sad. The more we can talk about shifting the focus back towards manufacturing items locally, the better.
"I believe it is hugely important to educate younger generations about the textiles manufacturing industry as it's a tough world out there and they represent the future of the industry."
Lindsay Taylor, of Holland & Sherry, said: "I think the citizens of the UK don't realise how important textiles and traditional industries are to Scotland and the UK, so events like this are very important. We need young people coming in with new ideas and approaches, so it's important we get younger people from all backgrounds to come into the industry."
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