Press Release

Free training for weavers aims to strengthen skills and protect the Harris Tweed industry

2 March 2007

Skillfast-UK the Sector Skills Council for apparel, footwear and textiles, has been working with Harris Tweed weavers to ensure a healthy future for the production of the world famous cloth.

Their research has revealed that the population of skilled weavers is mainly made up of older people, which means that, unless their skills are passed on to the next generation of workers soon, they will be lost to the industry.

To tackle this concern, weavers from Harris and Lewis are being encouraged to take part in a free three-day training course funded by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Fund. The course will be hosted by Skillfast-UK's textiles expert Robin Newton and will teach participants how to communicate their knowledge to others enabling them to cascade their skills effectively to the next generation of Harris Tweed weavers.

Each participant will achieve a recognised training qualification. The course will also provide a valuable opportunity for weavers to share skills and hone their techniques as well as offering an opportunity to network with other skilled individuals and share best practice.

Commenting on the initiative, Linda Florance, Chief Executive of Skillfast-UK
said: "The Harris Tweed weaving tradition is one of the best known faces of the Scottish Islands throughout the world. The industry relies on the knowledge and skills accumulated by its practitioners to survive and thrive. In order to ensure the future of Harris Tweed as a world leading brand we must tackle the future gaps in the skills infrastructure now. The idea of this course is to offer training that has been specifically tailored to Harris Tweed and make sure that today's practitioners have the skills and enthusiasm to pass on their knowledge to the weavers of the future.

The Harris Tweed training initiative is just one of many projects coordinated by Skillfast-UK as part of its role changing mainstream training and education to suit employers' needs. Linda Florance explains: "The UK is famous for its apparel, footwear and textile tradition. From Harris Tweed in the Scottish Islands to Savile Row tailoring, our manufacturing industry is something to be proud of. These industries need skilled workers but with £72 million wasted in the UK every year on inappropriate vocational training in the sector, employers are facing an uphill struggle to find the people they need.

"What businesses really need are people with specific practical skills such as weavers and dyers and finishers.  The existing training system presumes that skills are best taught in a classroom environment, but employers tell us that practical skills are often better taught on their premises in a working environment."

This course forms part of Skillfast-UK's joint work with Isle of Harris Landscape Partnership scheme to ensure the continuation of handmade tweed making on Harris.  The free three-day course will take place on either Harris or Lewis on the 19 March 2007.  Anyone wishing to participate should contact David Taylor at Skillfast-UK on 0113 239 9600 or email

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