The changing face of the apparel industry

The word “industry” conjures up images of large rooms filled with machinery, handling equipment and operators. The “apparel industry” is regarded as the engine for producing the garments that are eventually displayed in the High Street for us to purchase. In educational contexts, this was the image that prevailed in the 70s and 80s. Students were prepared to enter a labour-intensive industry, with many learning skills of assembly line balancing, work study and quality control. Students on sandwich courses spent the best part of a year on industrial placement, and it was not unusual for them to be involved in work study or quality control activities. Times have changed but not necessarily the perception. This article looks at how we need to address the problem of industry classification