Last week saw the return of the UK’s leading textile sourcing event, Make It British Live!, but not as we once knew it. Completely virtual and accessible from the comfort of your own home, Make It British Live! Online was the perfect solution to keep the textile industry connected during these uncertain times.

Kate Hills, founder of Make It British remarked: “The last six months have been one of a lot of change and upheaval for so many of us. But I think that out of change and adversity comes the potential for new and exciting things to happen.

“There is definitely a place for both online and offline events. Going forward, virtual events are going to play just as much part in the future of how we connect together as businesses, as real live shows will. “

Skills and Education Group Awards were proud to exhibit (virtually) on both days of the event, with Relationship Manager, Bernadette Done on hand to discuss our various offers within the textile industry with attendees, including our textile qualifications and end-point assessment services.

We heard from Bernadette to find out how she felt about attending the virtual event: “This was my very first experience of a virtual event and I was unsure what to expect. I needn’t have worried at all, it was fabulous, fun and extremely well organised. The speakers were interesting and really knowledgeable about the issues facing British manufacturing right now.

“As the only end-point assessment organisation for a range of the textiles apprenticeship standards and a leading awarding organisation, we feel it is vital to support events like this; it allows us to share the work being undertaken by Skills and Education Group Awards in this sector. 

“We continuously strive to provide solutions to skills gaps and support employers, colleges and training providers who want to offer learners the training and practical experiences to ensure the sector has a robust future. We feel our products suit the sector and this event is an ideal way of getting that message across.”

Educating and upskilling the next generation of British textile specialists was a hot topic within many of the panels during the event, with Kate Hills remarking: “There was a lot of talk about education and where that fits in to the supply chain, and how important education is.”

Skills and Education Group Awards is committed to being a part of upskilling and providing training for all aspects of textile manufacturing to futureproof the sector.

For more information about how we can support your learning provision within the textile industry, contact Bernadette here.