During the week commencing 20th July 2026, the Fashion Technology Academy (FTA) continued its commitment to providing meaningful industry engagement through a series of educational factory tours and seminars hosted at Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) HQ in North London. Led by FEL Director Caroline Ash, the sessions welcomed international students and aspiring young professionals, offering first-hand insight into UK garment manufacturing, sustainable production, and career opportunities within the fashion and textile sector.
The week began with a visit from an international group of Chinese students. Although the students had a good understanding of English, they were less confident speaking it, so the seminar was carefully adapted to maximise visual learning and practical demonstrations. Rather than relying heavily on presentations, the session focused on live examples, production demonstrations, and guided walk-throughs across the factory floor. This approach enabled students to see each stage of garment manufacturing in action while gaining an understanding of the processes, technology, and skilled roles involved. The interactive format proved highly successful, with students remaining engaged throughout the visit and providing excellent feedback at the end of the session. The experience demonstrated FTA’s ability to adapt educational delivery to meet the needs of diverse international audiences while maintaining a high-quality learning experience.
Later in the week, FTA welcomed students from Immerse Education International Careers School, whose programme focuses specifically on helping young people explore future career pathways. Recognising the careers-focused nature of the visit, Caroline Ash tailored the session accordingly. The programme began with an introductory seminar and guided factory tour, giving students a broad understanding of the UK textile and garment manufacturing industry and allowing them to observe real production processes in a commercial environment.
Following the tour, the seminar moved into a more detailed discussion around careers within the fashion industry. Students explored the wide range of roles available across manufacturing, production, business operations, quality assurance, merchandising, sustainability, logistics, and leadership. Discussions also covered the skills employers look for, typical career progression routes, and practical advice on how young people can begin building successful careers in the sector. Students participated enthusiastically throughout the session, asking thoughtful questions and engaging in discussions about how their current studies could translate into future employment opportunities. The seminar was extremely well received and highlighted the value of connecting education with real industry experience.
Feedback included…
“I have learnt that some companies would like to use Chinese AI tools to design and imitate the appearance of real people wearing their clothes. It was a really good experience, I enjoyed it a lot.”
“The visit was well-organised and informative. I hope for more similar trips in the future.”
“Learned a lot about fashion and know how the factories make clothes. Very cool.”
“I learnt about the different job opportunities in the fashion world. The machines and technologies used and how to make the production process more sustainable.”
“I found out how clothes are being made, the variety of career opportunities in fashion and the use of AI.”
These visits demonstrate FTA’s ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between education and industry by providing authentic learning experiences within a live manufacturing environment. Through tailored seminars, factory tours, and direct engagement with experienced industry professionals, students gain valuable knowledge of modern garment production while developing a clearer understanding of the diverse career opportunities available across the UK fashion and textile industry. By adapting each session to the needs and objectives of individual groups, FTA continues to deliver impactful educational experiences that inspire the next generation of fashion professionals while promoting UK manufacturing excellence.