In the ever-growing New Zealand fashion industry, it is the designers who get most of the media attention. No wonder so many students graduating from the myriad of fashion design and technology tertiary programmes have their eyes set on fame. What the media rarely talk about, however, is the importance of the skilled people behind the scenes - the pattern makers, sewing machinists, sample makers, production specialists such as production coordinators and garment technologists for offshore production, etc. - who help bring the garments/product successfully to market.

These are the people most needed by employers and, yet, our graduates often lack the necessary skills. In talking with many of our clients, we frequently hear this lament - "So many of the students coming out of tertiary education don't have the requisite skills to help or the desire to work on the production side of the business. They think they should be designers within six months of graduation." It's no secret that there is a skills gap in the fashion industry. We have to find a way to fill it so we don't impede growth in the sector.

One primary role of tertiary education is to develop and educate young people to meet the needs of employers as industries change and grow. That our graduates are, in part, not workforce ready for today's fashion industry needs is a disservice to both the industry and the students. How can employers and recruiters in the industry influence the curricula such that students are graduating with the skills needed? Is there another way employers can get qualified employees?

As employers, it can be useful to create and nurture relationships with local schools offering fashion design and technology programmes. You can speak with faculty about your needs and how the school can best meet them. You can offer internships or work/study opportunities. You can become a guest lecturer or teach "master classes."

You might also have to provide on-the-job training and up-skilling to grow your own qualified manufacturing and production personnel. The Apparel and Textiles Industry Training Organisation (www.ATITO.org.nz) offers one such opportunity. They create and manage the national NZQA unit standards for, among other things, apparel, textile, footwear and knitted products manufacturing (vs. design). In that role they provide the means to train workplace trainers and assessors and help companies develop their on-the-job training plans.

According to Mike Gorinski, CEO of ATITO, the organisation uses a collaborative model, working closely with companies within the industry. This enables the ITO to fully understand employers' needs which, in turn, helps ATITO keep unit standards and training protocols current and relevant.

Further, Mike indicated that "more and more, government is putting pressure on tertiary institutions (including polytechnics) to document ROI for their programmes. One way to do this is to measure employment outcomes - how many students in a particular programme secure studies-related employment after completion of their schooling." What better way to assess how educational programme content and delivery is meeting the needs of employers?

For those looking to make a career in the fashion industry, there are multiple certificate, diploma and bachelor degree programmes available throughout New Zealand. Each has its own focus and reputation. Several have a work/study component, as well, which can provide valuable real-world experience and a possible entree into permanent employment. The sidebar provides links to a sampling of tertiary and private education providers of fashion design and technology programmes throughout New Zealand.

When deciding on a programme of study, do your homework. Talk to your career counsellor, talk to recruitment personnel at the tertiary institution, talk to current students and alumni, talk to people in the industry. Understand what the school's success rate is with placing its graduates into employment. Make sure the expectations the school is creating for placement and success within the industry is realistic and that its programme is relevant to the needs of employers. And when you do engage in a programme of study in the fashion industry, be proactive in ensuring that your school's teaching staff is seeking input from employers and not only listening but also responding to their needs.

The New Zealand fashion industry is extremely dynamic, constantly changing as competition, sources and markets grow. Let's make sure we all do everything we can to keep New Zealand labels front and centre, creating the best garments, producing the best products and developing the best people.

Submitted by Managing Director, Gaye Harford in collaboration with Lorraine Warshaw