The PCIAW® recently hosted a pivotal Round Table on the Skills, Training & Education Gap, bringing together leading professionals from universities, industry manufacturers, and educational institutions. Held on July 24, 2025, the session was co-hosted with PCIAW® Board Director, Karen Burrows, representing Madeira UK, and Dr Annette van Es, from Phantomleaf® and the University of Zurich, and highlighted the critical need to address the talent deficit within the professional clothing industry, particularly in technical textiles and functional design.
A central theme emerged: the professional clothing sector struggles to attract talent, often overshadowed by the fashion industry, despite workwear’s innovation and daily relevance. The round table underscored the imperative for our industry to actively engage with universities, clearly articulate its needs, and position “technical workwear” as a design-led and appealing career pathway.
Bridging the Perception Gap
Discussions revealed a significant perception gap between students and the professional clothing industry. Many graduates gravitate towards well-known fashion brands, overlooking the innovative opportunities in technical workwear. A participant shared that their interest in technical clothing only sparked through university-industry collaboration, specifically via the PCA VISION design competition, which unfortunately has seen reduced activity recently. It’s crucial to reposition industry terminology; “uniform” carries outdated connotations, whereas “professional clothing,” “technical workwear,” or “technical design” better reflect the sector’s innovation and appeal to potential students.
Creativity Within Constraints
A key challenge in technical textiles education is students’ view of technical specifications. Many perceive these requirements as creatively limiting. However, the round table affirmed that creativity within clear constraints often presents a more exciting challenge than limitless freedom. Students’ hesitation often stems from missunderstanding that true innovation lies in finding solutions despite—or because of—technical parameters like durability or flame-resistance. The growing popularity of workwear in mainstream fashion offers a timely opportunity to showcase how technical concepts can lead to dynamic and fashionable designs.
Addressing Resource Constraints and Collaboration Models
Universities face significant resource crises, impacting their ability to deliver comprehensive programmes and often preventing hands-on manufacturing experience. This means graduates may lack practical understanding of garment construction and manufacturing processes. This reality makes industry engagement even more vital, as higher education alone cannot solve the skills gap.
Several successful collaboration models were highlighted. Long-term partnerships between manufacturers and universities, featuring guest lectures, live design briefs, and mentorships, proved effective. Providing donated materials reduced financial barriers for students, ensuring they work with appropriate technical fabrics. Partnerships with local colleges and educational webinars by professional speakers also fostered two-way learning and made the sector more accessible.
The Path Forward: A Collaborative Ecosystem
The consensus underscored the need for systematic collaboration between universities and industry, extending beyond individual partnerships to encompass cross-sector approaches involving manufacturers, educators, and professional bodies. Industry input is crucial for relevant curricula, while educational institutions are essential for developing skilled graduates.
The round table concluded that industry-led steering groups could systematically approach curriculum development, student engagement, and career pathways. Coordinated approaches to curriculum support, subsidised projects, and networking events are needed to ensure sustained impact. The success of future initiatives depends on maintaining this collaborative momentum, translating insights into concrete actions that benefit both educational institutions and industry partners. This will ultimately secure a robust talent pipeline for the professional clothing industry.
