Textile industry backing apprentices despite levy

0.5% of their annual payroll into the levy to fund training.

Almost 200 people – including VIPs, more than 70 award recipients, their families and employers – attended the presentation at the centre on Red Doles Lane, off Leeds Road.

Major accolades included the Lord Barnby Award, made by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, which was presented by Robert Allan to Oliver Clegg, of Meltham and Mirfield-based fabrics manufacturer Camira Fabrics.

David Antich, managing director of Bradley-based Antich & Sons Ltd, presented the Chris Antich “Inspiration” Award in memory of his late father to Craig Clarkson, of William Reed & Sons Ltd, based in Nelson, Lancashire.

Among other recipients, Gaye Walton, of Leeds-based Abraham Moon & Sons Ltd, was presented with the Training Company of the Year Award by Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman.

Certificates were also presented to Technical Certificate Learner of the Year Thomas Williamson, of Arville Textiles Ltd at Wetherby; Katie Goose, of Rowlinson Knitwear in Stockport and Elena Drury, of Moldgreen-based WT Johnson & Sons Ltd, who were jointly named Intermediate Apprenticeship Learners of the Year; and Daniel King, of Keighley firm Pennine Weavers, who was Advanced Apprenticeship Learner of the Year.

Keynote speaker Sir John Harman, chairman of Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd, asked whether the North could catch up with the South in terms of innovation and infrastructure development, while textile centre managing director Bill Macbeth and textile centre chairman Paul Johnson outlined how companies were collaborating to create new and better products.

Also attending were Nicola Redmore, president of the Huddersfield Textile Society, and the Mayor of Kirklees Clr Christine Iredale.