At the beginning of March, the Apprenticeship Sub Committee took a close look at our current apprenticeship numbers, and the results tell an encouraging story about the future of our industry.

Right now, we have:

• 2 apprentices close to completing their Level 3 qualification
• 8 apprentices signed up for the combined Level 3 & 4 qualification
• 2 apprentices enrolled in the Level 4 qualification

One of the most interesting things we noticed was the age range. Our youngest apprentice is 17 and our oldest is 50, with an average age of 28. That is a great reminder that apprenticeships are not just for school leavers — they are a pathway into our industry for people at many different stages of life.

To get a better understanding of what attracts young people into industrial textiles, we spoke with Luke Watson, our youngest enrolled apprentice, who is working at Peter May Ltd.

Luke is 17 and started with Peter May Ltd while still at school, initially taking on an after-school job and working full-time during the holidays. During that time, he discovered the industrial textiles industry and found the work interesting and varied. As the end of Year 12 approached and he was considering his future, an apprenticeship felt like a natural next step and a great pathway forward.

What appealed to Luke about Peter May Ltd was the flexibility, the training opportunities, and the variety of work. Since starting, he has been learning to use a wide range of equipment and machinery including a CNC cutting table, hot air welders, eyelet machines, and even metal welding when needed.

So far, his work has included making covers and wraps for dairy vats, truck bin covers, and working on car and motorbike seats, including foam and material repairs. One thing that has surprised him most is just how widely the textiles industry is used and how much creativity goes into producing some of the more complex jobs.

Luke says some of the most important skills for anyone wanting to enter the industry are a willingness to learn, the ability to practise and build new skills, and understanding how to safely operate machinery. Being comfortable with a sewing machine, or willing to learn, is also important.

Having recently enrolled in the Level 3 & 4 apprenticeship programme, Luke is particularly looking forward to learning more about shade sails and continuing to develop his skills across different types of projects. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue working in the industry and, one day, pass his knowledge on to younger apprentices.

His advice to other young people considering a career in the trades or industrial textiles is simple: take opportunities that open new doors and give things a go.

Stories like Luke’s are a great reminder that our industry offers real career pathways, hands-on learning, and opportunities for people of all ages. Whether someone is leaving school or looking for a career change later in life, apprenticeships remain one of the most important ways we bring new people into our industry