Thanks to Powys County Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Newtown in Wales is set to open its own Fashion & Textiles Academy.
Back in 2019 Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) had a dream to recreate the success of its London HQ in Wales by incorporating a factory alongside a learning academy. FEL Wales had employed an amazing, highly experienced team of ex-Laura Ashley stitchers and production workers, creating the perfect environment for skills transfer.
Working with NPTC Group of Colleges, FEL successfully taught Level 1 and 2 learners and apprentices, however, the timing wasn’t great with the Covid pandemic and the re-distribution of essential funding. Despite the set backs the green light has given on Newtown Fashion & Textiles Academy, headed up by Newtown College vice-principal Gemma Charnock. FEL will be working collaboratively to bring the latest industry skills, contacts and opportunities, including AI with Style3D.
In November FEL tutors will be heading over to the new Fashion & Textiles Academy, based in the historic Royal Welsh Warehouse, also known as the Pryce Jones Building, to prepare for the provision of industry-ready Level 1 stitching skills.
Big thanks to Powys County Council, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and NPTC Group of Colleges for making the Academy a reality. The Powys region of Wales is steeped in textile manufacturing history and the academy will give the next generation the chance to take the industry into a new era.
The Fashion & Textiles Academy in Newtown is set to launch in December. More on this soon.