ABC Awards is delighted to announce that 17 of our fashion and textiles qualifications have gained recognition from the UK Fashion and Textiles Association’s (ukft) Industry Recognition Programme.

ukft launched their Industry Recognition Programme to ensure qualifications in the sector are both applicable and necessary for employers and learners alike.

ABC Awards are the first company to gain recognition through the UKFT’s Industry Recognition Programme. The content of our qualifications were assessed and have been approved as being high quality and industry relevant. Being part of the Industry Recognition Programme also means that we will benefit from:

• benchmarking of outcomes against employer-identified skills gaps
• promotion via UKFT networks and industry publications
• additional signposting and communication around qualifications where candidates can achieve “recognised” badging upon completion
• logos on ABC Awards fashion and textiles qualification certificates from September onwards
• comparable evidence across the sector for UKFT and ABC Awards (supporting regulatory evidence)

Speaking of the Industry Recognition Programme and the value that it brings to awarding organisations, Adam Mansell, the Chief Executive of UKFT said:

“By introducing the UKFT Industry Recognition Programme it will ensure that qualifications are both applicable and necessary. Significant signposting is required to assist young people, employers, parents and training providers alike in navigating the range of available courses particularly those that address the current skills gaps within our industry.

“We welcome the proactive approach to the programme from ABC Awards and we look forward to promoting quality training provision to our member companies and the Fashion and Textiles sector as a whole.”

Paul Eeles, Chief Executive, Skills and Education Group, added:

“We are delighted to be the first awarding organisation to gain this prestigious recognition from the UK Fashion and Textiles Association.

“Our qualifications can now be seen to be even more reputable to both our Centres and industry. We look forward to continuing to work with, and support the sector, to close the skills gaps within the fashion and textiles industry.”

For further information about our fashion and textiles qualifications visit our website , or call 0115 854 1620 and speak to a member of our Centre Support team.