For Hugh Douglas, Managing Director of Weft Knitting Co., youth is the lifeline of the garment industry.
Hugh points out that the aging demographic in the garment industry is a risk factor for companies facing high volumes of retirements in coming years. For this reason, Weft Knitting Co. have made the recruitment of 15 to 30 year olds a priority.
"If we don't, the industry doesn't survive," is Hugh's warning of the consequences of inaction.
During the last year, Weft Knitting Co. has approached a number of Christchurch schools regarding the recruitment of school leavers. This has resulted in the placement of school leavers with the firm via two weeks paid work during school holidays.
Hugh stresses that young recruits must see a career path if they are to be retained and developed. To this end he has three people on ATITO's Knitting Technician Cadetships. In the course of their cadetships they will complete a National Diploma in Knitting Technology.
Weft's latest school leaving recruit is undertaking a National Certificate in Clothing Manufacture, specialising in cutting. As part of her training she is attending Hagley Community College, where she is completing unit standards.
Hugh says that it has not been easy to recruit young people to an industry that has an older age profile. Young people generally want to work with other young people.
However, says Hugh, "As we get a nucleus of young people, it is getting easier."
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