View Project Overview and Progress

June 2019: Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Industry Skills Forecast endorsed by AISC

We are pleased to advise that the 2019 Industry Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work, prepared on behalf of the Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Industry Reference Committee, was endorsed by the Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) for consideration at their June meeting.

The Industry Skills Forecast identified a number of Key Drivers for Change and scheduled a number of priorities for 2019-2023 as listed below.

This information has been used to update the AISC National Schedule of training package development projects.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback and comments.

To read the 2019 Industry Skills Forecast, please click on the link below:
Read the 2019 MST Textiles Clothing and Footwear Industry Skills Forecast, or download it here
Read the 2019 MST Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Case for Change, or download it here

2019 Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Industry Skills Forecast submitted to AISC

We are pleased to advise that the final draft 2019 Industry Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work, prepared on behalf of the Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Industry Reference Committee, was submitted to the Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) for consideration at their June meeting.

The Industry Skills Forecast identified a number of Key Drivers for Change and scheduled a number of priorities for 2019-2023

Key Driver/s of Change:

  • Ageing workforce and offshoring contributing to a shortage of skilled sewing machine operators for work across the Textiles, Clothing and Footwear industry.
  • Digitisation and automation including CAD, laser cutting, 3D prototyping, performance textiles, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
  • Consumer demand, expanding business opportunities and increasing complexity of Textiles, Clothing and Footwear industry landscape driving the need to upskill for owners and managers in small and micro businesses.

Case for Change: Industrial Sewing Case for Change (Approved March 2019)
The project will develop an Industrial Sewing Skill Set that is applicable to several related industry sectors for the development of transferable, entry-level skills to facilitate the movement of workers with similar skills and assist employers experiencing skill shortages.

Other priorities for 2019–20:

  • New Technologies and Materials: The project will investigate the skills impact of new technologies and materials to ensure that training products provide industry with required skills in CAD, laser cutting, 3D prototyping, performance textiles, and use of digital skills and mobile technologies in design, pattern making, social media marketing and online retailing.
  • Advanced Clothing Production and Garment Alteration Skill Sets: The proposed skill sets will address industry requirements for targeted skill development in pattern making and grading, sizing, and garment making and machining to meet identified industry need.

(It is anticipated a separate Case for Change for these priorities will be submitted in late-2019.)

This information has been used to update the AISC National Schedule of training package development projects.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback and comments.

To read the submitted 2019 Industry Skills Forecast, please click on the link below:
Read the draft 2019 MST Textiles Clothing and Footwear Industry Skills Forecast
Read the 2019 MST Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Case for Change

May 2019: Submission

We’re pleased to advise that the 2019 Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Industry Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work was submitted to the Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) in April.

The AISC will consider this Forecast at their June meeting. Once endorsed, the final report will be published on this page.

March 2019: Consultation

Consultation for the draft 2019 Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Industry Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work ended on Monday 25 March.

Thank you to those stakeholders who provided comment. Broad consultation was undertaken which involved the draft 2019 Industry Skills Forecast being made available via the website along with an online survey to gather feedback.

Feedback is now being reviewed by the Aerospace Industry Reference Committee. The final version will then be submitted to the Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC). Once endorsed, final documents will then be published on this page.

March 2019: Consultation now closed

Textiles, Clothing and Footwear businesses are facing challenges associated with an ageing workforce, the introduction of new technologies and business models, changing consumer behaviour and environmental and ethical concerns.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) for the Textiles, Clothing and Footwear industry needs to build advanced technical skills to support quality craftsmanship, as well as the broader science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and technological skills to capitalise on new ways of working.

The IRC identified the creation of a new Industrial Sewing skill set as critical and have submitted a Case for Change related to this priority area. This will support the development of transferable, entry-level skills allowing workforce mobility across a range of Textiles, Clothing and Footwear industry sectors.