Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
College and fashion firm deliver training course
New College Lanarkshire (NCL) is catwalking towards a brighter financial future by working with sustainable fashion company ACS Clothing to deliver an innovative new training programme that builds on Scotland’s efforts to create a circular economy.
The Pathways to Textile Care and Warehousing course is delivered by the college’s access and progression department in conjunction with ACS and North and South Lanarkshire councils.
The course aims to provide training opportunities to increase employment pathways, particularly for young people with additional support needs, while at the same time contributing to Scotland’s drive to reduce carbon emissions.
Through undertaking a live work placement at ACS’S state-of-the-art warehouse at Eurocentral, the students enrolled in the programme are learning skills and knowledge to prepare them for a career in warehousing, logistics or sustainable fashion.
Since it was founded in 1997, ACS (Advanced Clothing Solutions) has grown to encompass more than 150 employees delivering a cleaning, packing, distribution and garment refurbishment service for well-known fashion brands.
Its 85,000-sqft facility at Eurocentral boasts ultramodern garment handling technology to extend the life of clothing, ranging from men’s formal wear and kilt hire companies to retailers such as LK Bennett, ASOS and Next.
The full-time, one-year course has a strong vocational theme, with students working towards achieving a SVQ qualification (at SCQF Level 5) in either warehousing or textile care, in addition to gaining qualifications in first aid and health and safety.
Nicola Mulholland, dean for academic partnerships at NCL, said: “This is a fantastic partnership, providing the very best in education and work experience opportunities to prepare young people with additional support needs for the workplace.
“I am very grateful to all those at ACS who are working with us to help our students, and a special thanks goes to Michael Cusack for his continued enthusiasm for this initiative.
“Additionally, I would like to thank our colleagues in both local authorities for supporting this project from an employability perspective. This programme really shows what we can achieve when we all work together.”
Monique Lerpiniere, people development co-ordinator at ACS, added: “When the Pathways project was first conceptualised, I thought it had great potential. Today, opportunities for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are limited.
“New College Lanarkshire’s willingness to collaborate with ACS allowed us to create a bespoke training opportunity that will not only help young people grow in confidence and learn new skills but, most importantly, prepare them for the world of work.
“The response from the students and ACS staff alike has been overwhelmingly positive. I have seen students who once lacked certainty in their future career prospects make long-lasting friendships and pick up invaluable employability skills.”
Job coaches from the respective councils support students on placement at ACS, in addition to helping students plan for their transition to employment on completion of the course.
Gail Mckee, supported employment coordinator at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “Working in partnership with ACS and NCL to support with this exciting new course has been an amazing experience. We have enjoyed watching the students grow in confidence and develop skills that they didn’t believe were possible.”