Training of new Harris Tweed weavers set to get underway

With the three main Harris Tweed producers predicting a strong order book for 2010, the Harris Tweed industry has progressed plans to recruit a small number of new weavers into the industry.

As a result of funding from the European Social Fund, Skills Development Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Western Isles Council, a training course for 12 new weavers is due to commence in Stornoway in March 2010.

The industry depends on a small number of highly-skilled, self-employed Harris Tweed weavers.

There is an ageing demographic in the workforce so recruiting new entrants to the industry is crucial to fulfilling orders and expectations for the cloth.

The course is being developed and delivered by Cardonald College, Glasgow, who have recruited two Harris Tweed weavers to deliver the training from a Stornoway training centre which has been set up specifically for the course.

Those who successfully complete the 12 week, full-time course will be awarded an SVQ Level 1 in Manufacturing Textile Products, which has been adapted for Harris Tweed weavers.

Participants will also receive ongoing training and business support on completion of the course.

Sam Goates, Cardonald College, commented, “We were very pleased with the enthusiastic response and diverse range of people who applied for the course.  The College worked with the industry to run a series of information sessions which gave people an opportunity to hear about the industry from the mills and from existing weavers.  It is clear that there is a strong interest in the weaving occupation and lifestyle within the local community.”

Councillor Angus Campbell, Chair of the Harris Tweed Industry Forum, commented, “I am delighted that the project has reached this stage.  There has been no formal mechanism for training new weavers over the past decade or so.  This project has been essential in putting in place a structure to ensure new entrants to the industry meet an appropriate standard, which recognises the skills and craftsmanship required of Harris Tweed weavers.”

The new weaver training is part of a wider, 2 year, ESF-funded training programme which is providing training at all levels of the industry.

Mill management and production staff are already benefiting from a range of training in areas such as management, exporting and IT.

Support is also being given to enable specialist production staff to pass on their skills across the workforce; ensuring years of knowledge and experience are handed on.

In a further part of the training programme, Cardonald College is delivering a training and accreditation scheme for existing weavers, which will ensure there is formal recognition of the existing skills and level of craftsmanship in the workforce and also ensure that new or recent entrants meet an acceptable standard.

This should result in existing weavers being awarded SVQ Manufacturing Textile Products Level 2.  Overall Project Management of the training project is being provided by Upper Quartile.

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