Tailoring training increases in Western Isles

Tailoring training is being expanded on the Western Isles as part of a major development backed by Western Isles Enterprise.

The aim is to give local people the skills to enable them to produce basic garments to a high standard, and possibly consider setting up in business themselves.

Earlier this year WIE invested around £16,000 in buying six industrial-standard sewing machines and holding an initial training course in Tarbert, Harris.

Now another £14,000 is being spent on further courses in Benbecula and Harris enabling more people to be trained.

In the past, production of tailored goods in the Islands was fairly low despite a long domestic tradition of local women producing garments. As a result, most garments sold in the Western Isles have been manufactured elsewhere.

But in recent years there has been an increase in the number of small enterprises trying to produce clothes and other similar products and this has led to a demand for skilled workers.

The two week intensive course enables those involved to work towards attaining National Certificate (NC) status.

Around ten people applied to the course in sewing machine skills which took place in West Gerinish Community Hall, Benbecula, in late October/early November. However, only six could go on the course because it was limited by the number of machines. The courses are provided and validated by Cardonald College in Glasgow and Nancy Livingston, a lecturer from the college, teaches them.

Nancy Livingston said after the training course that three of the students were already considering going into business together. "For those who are seriously considering going into business, training on industrial machines is important. The machines are faster, and are able to deal with heavier materials, " she said.

Now the course in Uist is finished, those involved are being allowed to retain the sewing machines to practice their skills at home for three months. After that, the machines will be moved to another area to provide training for people there.

A further intensive course started in Tarbert at the Harris Hotel on November 18. This is the first advanced course and deals with pattern cutting.

This course also lasts a fortnight and allow students to work towards a National Certificate award. It is intended to broaden the knowledge and skills of those involved to enable them to consider starting up in business. A business counsellor will also meet those involved, along with representatives from WIE in order to explain what the opportunities are.

Tailoring on a commercial basis has never been a major sector in the Western Isles because it is very time-intensive, equipment is expensive and it demands a wide range of skills from design through to cutting, sewing and finishing. Yet demand and interest in locally produced garments, especially made from Harris Tweed, outstrips the supply, with visitors frequently enquiring for products at local tourist offices.

WIE is investing a total of £13,960 to organise and deliver these latest courses, which have been managed in Uist by Cothrom and in Harris by Harris Development Ltd.

Mr Donnie Macaulay, WIE's chief executive, said the creation of a viable tailoring sector within the Western Isles was going to be a long-term task but the expanded skills base meant wider opportunities for those involved.

"The demand for the places at the Benbecula shows that the interest and enthusiasm is there. It is one of WIE's tasks to help turn these aspirations into reality," Mr Macaulay said.