This is how Roy Burton, md of Your Embroidery Services Ltd. (YES) has felt for some time now regarding technical training in the embroidery industry. Unlike the rest of the clothing industry, which has now moved offshore, embroidery has flourished and is still experiencing growth even in today's media driven, economic downturn. Because of this, embroidery machinery technicians are in demand. However, the basic training for sewing machine technicians vanished along with the manufacturing industry, meaning they aren't coming through the colleges and there are no longer any apprenticeships for them.

It is not that there is an immediate problem or a shortage of able technicians but more a problem for the future, says Roy. No matter how fit or able today's embroidery technicians think they are, the reality that they will eventually retire is inescapable. When this happens the knowledge and experience that they have in abundance will retire with them and it is this that has prompted Roy to start looking at how to put things right.

Roy and YES are embarking on a technical renaissance to re-establish the early training principle and thereby bring back into embroidery the flow from basic ability to expertise that was once a standard part of a sewing technician's schooling. We spoke to Roy to find out how he feels and what he has in mind.

Q. What are the main differences between now and when you trained?

A. From the customer's point of view nothing has changed in that they still need the same support today as they did when I first started. Admittedly the machines are more sophisticated but this is a double-edged sword. On the one hand they are more automatic and therefore need less user input but on the other they are much more intricate pieces of equipment and require wider knowledge to maintain them. At the moment machine suppliers are picking up technicians at the end of the training line, which is okay in the short term as it gives us the ability to immediately satisfy a client's demands, but what of the future? Once these guys have gone who is there to follow? Here at YES we recognise this fact and are taking action now. Unfortunately few in the industry seem to be adopting this attitude and that worries me. One of the key problems is that, apart from a very small number of college courses, we only have on the job training and neither results in any recognised accreditation. I am trying to resolve this by connecting with national organisations such as Business Link and Train to Gain. Sadly, to date, I have had little success but this will not deter me from keeping up the pressure so that one day maybe these and other organisations and businesses will recognise what we are trying to do. As you can imagine all of this comes at a cost and, for the moment, it is one that we are willing to bear as we see it as an investment in our and our customers' futures.

Q. Why do you think it is so important to get youngsters back into this industry?

A. By encouraging youngsters into our industry we are setting the seeds of the future whilst there is still enough information and experience around to help them to grow. In another five or 10 years time there will be far fewer technicians around and so this investment in youth is paramount.

At YES we have launched our Planning for The Future program as part of our customer support policy. All businesses need continuity and growth and YES is no different. Remember that we are a family business with an extended family of customers.

Q. Do you think this is as good an opportunity for girls as it is for boys?

A. In today's PC climate I have to say yes but that is what I would say anyway. Men and women have their own perspective and skills to bring to the industry and having a mix can only be good.

We have already seen this with machine operators, who at one time were all women but now are mixed, with both doing an excellent job of using and taking care of their machines. It is trainee technicians we need and anyone who gets hung up on the gender of the applicants is not facing up to the problems we have.

Q. What do you see as the main obstacles to youngsters who want to get involved in the technical side of the embroidery industry?

A. There are really two key areas which present problems. The lack of professional training courses and qualifications, and the deficiency of companies like YES who are prepared to invest in the time needed to bring people up to scratch. I have already mentioned the, up to now, fruitless work I am trying to do with the few organisations that exist. I am keen to speak with them but I am not sure whether they simply don't want to answer or maybe they just have nothing to say. Either way without the input of official agencies it will be an uphill struggle.

Other companies should also be looking at this even though it is a massive investment. I really believe we are still developing youngsters at school who do not want to sit at a computer all day or become solely involved with e-commerce. Young people today have diverse talents which, if nurtured correctly, could help them develop into people with practical skills and a logical approach to life - two abilities that, although not essential, go a long way towards making a good technician. In today's youngsters we have an excellent opportunity to develop the industry's support structure for the future

Q. Will YES be extending the current basic training to include non product specific information?

A. Definitely. I have a philosophy to try and satisfy the demands of all of our customers and, if this means training on behalf of the industry and not just YES, then so be it. This could extend further with the organisation of seminars for machine users covering a range of topics that would help them improve quality and performance.

Naturally the trainee technicians would also gain a massive amount from these, not least having the chance to view a subject or problem from the customer's point of view and not just the technician's. Subjects such as: Getting the best from your embroidery machine; Improved maintenance leads to improved productivity; and Handling difficult fabrics and framing would make ideal starting points although, in reality of course, the list could go on and on.

Q. Will this program resemble the old style apprenticeships?

A. Currently I would have to say no, purely because there are no qualifications at the end of it. What is obvious though is that the NVQ range of certificates could extend to this situation. Hopefully my discussions with the various agencies will push them into recognising the training syllabus so as to achieve a recognised level. Something has to be done.

Q. Last question Roy. How do you see the future?

A. If I have anything to do with it then the future will be bright but, as mentioned earlier, YES on its own is not enough.We need official input otherwise I can see the embroidery sector going the same way as the rest of the textile trade. This is in no way a political statement but governments have got to start recognising the fact that they have to act.

The complacency that allowed the UK textile trade to be killed off cannot be allowed to surface again. There has been a growing tendency in government to leave everything to the private sector but that is giving up control and is not looking after the long term state of our industry. We are not prepared to sit back and accept the state of things and neither should they be.

Tel: 01623 863343

Email: sales@yesltd.co.uk

Web: http://www.yesltd.co.uk/

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