Delve into the history and debate the future of the Scotland’s skilled textile workforce with Lynn Abrams and Sally Tuckett of the University of Glasgow's Fleece to Fashion project.
In Scotland, the textile industry is second only to whisky in its export and recognition value. However, the survival and growth of the industry is dependent on a skilled labour force.
Scotland traditionally possessed a deep reservoir of skilled workers across the gamut of wool and knitwear trades, from spinning and dying to frame, hand knitting and finishing, but in the 21st century those workers are harder to find and the skill set is drying up.
The roundtable will bring together representatives of small and larger businesses, education and training, advocates for the knitwear sector and academics with knowledge of the history of knitwear production.
The panel:
Di Gilpin, Knitwear designer and director of Di Gilpin Knitwear
Nick Bannerman, Global Sales Director, Johnstons of Elgin, Hawick
Lisa Macintyre, Associate Professor of Textile Technology, Heriot Watt University
Jaki Love, Director of Innovation and Sustainability, UKFT
Plus the roundtable will be chaired by:
Lynn Abrams, Professor of Modern History and Director of 'Fleece to Fashion' research project, University of Glasgow
Sally Tuckett, Senior Lecturer in Dress and Textile History, University of Glasgow
This riveting discussion will address the scale and scope of the problem, the key issues confronting the industry, the identification of current actions and possible steps forward.
5pm – visit exhibition
6pm – 8pm Round table discussion in the Ladies Baths
Tickets £15