Wanted: Fashion team for brand new European competition

Skillfast-UK, the Sector Skills Council for fashion and textiles, is on the hunt for fresh new talent to represent the UK at the 2008 EuroSkills competition in Rotterdam next year.

Skillfast-UK is looking for a team of two talented young people who have the ability and flair to represent the UK at the highest level in the brand new Fashion Production and Development Competition, which will form a part of the first ever EuroSkills 2008. The competition is open to all undergraduate students studying in their second year at university and professionals under the age of 25 in the year of the competition*. Each team must be nominated by their course tutor or line manager (if industry) and must consist of two people, who between them have a good balance of skills including design, pattern-cutting, digital print and garment construction. CAD-CAM skills also form part of the competition, but some training will be given on this.

Pre-selection is based on a technical scoring system; judges will choose eight teams to go through to the UK selection event, which will take place in Glasgow on 11, 12, 13 January 2008. Some preparatory design work will be required but the competition will be largely practical. Two top teams will be announced at the event and will go head to head in the UK final in March 2008.

The winning team will be partnered with a training manager who will work with them in the run up to EuroSkills 2008 in September.

Linda Florance, Chief Executive of Skillfast-UK, said: "It's fantastic to see fashion production and development making its world debut at EuroSkills 2008 in Rotterdam next year. The UK is home to some of the world's most creative design talent, but it is very important that these creative skills are matched by top-notch technical ability. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for all those budding Stella McCartneys and Alexander McQueens and a great chance for young professionals to show off their technical ability."

Skillfast-UK and UK Skills, a not-for-profit organisation that champions skills and learning for work, worked together to organise the UK entry into the competition.

EuroSkills 2008 will see hundreds of young professionals, students and graduates from 22 European countries, compete and demonstrate their skills in almost 30 typically European trades. This new innovative event will showcase European skills on an international platform and will consist of skills competitions, demonstrations, interactive events and conferences.

This will be the first time that the fashion and textiles sector will feature at a skills competition, and it has been made possible by the generous support of UK Skills and the Scottish Government.

Tutors, teachers or industry managers will be expected to nominate the team, and a competition pack can be ordered by calling 0870 609 2889 or visiting www.skillfast-uk.org/employers and clicking on the EuroSkills link.

Further details

For more information please contact Rebecca Douglas or Kate Gray at MCG PR at 0113 268 5000 or email: Rebecca.douglas@mcgpr.co.uk