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Editor’s Comment: Power to the people!
Welcome to the June edition of Footwear Today, where this month we’ve got a really thought-provoking piece from the BFA (page 8) about the skills shortage in this industry and the struggle to attract young people into the profession…
A new trailblazer group is reviving a new manufacturer apprenticeship scheme to not only make it more relevant to the needs of today’s industry, but also universally applicable to all kinds of UK footwear businesses.
And it would seem this couldn’t come at a better time. Our sector faces an increasing challenge to attract young, skilled professionals who will revitalise the manufacturing workforce and bring fresh ideas and practices to develop this historic trade and take it forward for the future.
At the end of last year, the British Footwear Development Trust (BFDT) introduced a new grant programme designed to support individuals and businesses to reach their full potential within the UK footwear market. It aims to enhance skillsets, ignite creativity and fuel growth across the sector.
Competition is fierce nowadays from right across the world, but the UK can maintain its position as long as we are open to change.
And that applies on the retail side as well. Footwear retailers that have a passion for training and staff development will excel during challenging times. Consumers expect to be engaged by sales staff who know how to handle all kinds of purchase queries and customer needs. Without effective staff training, who’s to blame if a customer walks out empty-handed?
The responsibility as the employer is to equip your staff to be the best they can be. At the end of the day, these people could be ones taking your business forward in the years to come.
Jack Cheeseman – Editor – Footwear Today
jcheeseman@datateam.co.uk
Tel: 01622 699120
Twitter: @FootwearToday – Instagram: @footweartodaymag
