Our seventh Textile Manufacturing Skills Bootcamp is underway, and the feedback from day one has already been fantastic.
The programme brings together industry knowledge and visits to working textile businesses, helping delegates understand each stage of manufacturing and how it connects to the next.
Starting at the source
The opening day took delegates to British Wool in Bradford, where they explored the UK wool industry, learned about wool grading and experienced a live wool auction.
It was an opportunity to understand how wool is assessed and traded, and why the characteristics of the raw material matter throughout production.
The day continued with a visit to Haworth Scouring in Bradford, where delegates saw how raw wool is cleaned and prepared for further processing. Seeing these operations first-hand helped connect the day’s learning with the processes used within the industry.
Thank you to both teams for welcoming our delegates and sharing their knowledge.
Following the journey from fibre to finished fabric
Across ten days, covering a period of 3 months, the bootcamp explores the textile manufacturing process, covering fibre sorting and grading, yarn production, warping and weaving, dyeing, finishing and nonwovens. Sustainability, quality and textile testing also form part of the programme.
Theory sessions are combined with industry visits, giving delegates the opportunity to see different processes, ask questions and learn directly from experienced textile professionals.
Visits throughout the programme include Lawton Yarns, Wooltex Spinning, Antich & Sons, Park Valley Dyers, Camira Fabrics, WT Johnson, Heckmondwike FB, Abraham Moon and AW Hainsworth.
Together, these experiences help delegates build a broader understanding of the sector, including processes beyond their own day-to-day roles.
Industry support makes the programme possible
Following the end of government funding, support from The Weavers’ Company, The Clothworkers’ Company, CAPITB Trust and The Woolmen Charity has enabled this latest cohort to go ahead.
Their contribution means the programme remains 90% funded, with an employer contribution of £350 plus VAT per delegate, helping businesses continue to invest in the knowledge and development of their teams.
As an industry-owned, not-for-profit training provider, the Textile Centre of Excellence values the collaboration that makes this learning possible—from the organisations supporting delivery to the manufacturers opening their doors.
A promising start
The fantastic feedback so far is an encouraging start to the programme. Day one has given delegates an introduction to the early stages of wool processing, laying the foundations for the sessions and visits ahead.
We look forward to sharing more as the cohort continues its journey through textile manufacturing.
