UKFT announces £670K bursary for Leeds University textile course

The bursary scheme was officially launched at the Sustainability in UK Textiles conference on September 28 by UKFT president Princess Anne. Generously funded by the Textile Livery Group and other textile-related charities, the initiative aims to support the education of students with a keen interest in textiles to meet the environmental and social challenges of tomorrow, UKFT said in a press release.

“This three-year programme, which also offers an optional industry placement year, will significantly lower the barriers to entry into the UK textile industry. Our aspiration is for this course to become the ‘go to’ destination for textile employers seeking to recruit skilled and experienced textile technology graduates with industry-relevant expertise,” said David Collinge, representing the Worshipful Company of Weavers’ Textile Committee. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the curriculum for the new course.

The Textile Innovation and Sustainability BSc course will give students a deep understanding of sustainable textile materials, processes, and products. The curriculum has been developed to address real industry needs, with businesses providing valuable placement and employment opportunities. Compulsory modules will provide a broad understanding of textiles, while optional modules will allow students to specialise depending on their career ambitions.

“The new Textile Innovation and Sustainability BSc course builds on the University of Leeds’ 150-year history of textile education. In addition to a cutting-edge syllabus supported by our extensive laboratories, we will collaborate closely with industry partners to offer valuable industrial placements and scholarships via academic achievement and means-tested routes,” said Dr Muhammad Tausif, deputy head of school and associate professor in sustainable textile manufacturing.

Adam Mansell, CEO of UKFT, said: “The course has been tailored to address the skills gap in the UK textile industry, providing a new generation of textile technologists capable of innovating sustainable textile solutions to global environmental and social challenges. With many industry technologists aged 55 and over, there is a real need for younger trained professionals to fill their shoes as they retire. The design and launch of the course have received widespread support from the UK textile industry, co-ordinated by UKFT and the Textile Livery Group.

“Following a survey of our network last year, we’re delighted that this course is coming on stream. Leading retailers, designer brands, and textile manufacturers have emphasised the urgent need for this type of training in the UK. The course will equip future textile specialists with a comprehensive set of skills and experience to thrive in the dynamic UK textile industry.”

The course content will bring together responsible fashion, sustainable textile manufacturing, knitted textiles and processes, nonwoven products and processes, textile colouration and finishing, and technical textiles. Students will undertake a major research project in their final year, utilising the high-quality research facilities at the University of Leeds.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)