Study Guide

Description

Growth Areas in the Textile and Fashion Sector is a 30-credit (cr) work life oriented continuous learning program. The program is free of charge for the participants. Funding for the training has been granted by the Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment.
The program is aimed at those working in technical, planning/design and teaching positions in the textile and fashion sector who want to update their skills in the identified growth areas. This program is also suitable for textile and fashion trade professionals and people who want to get to know the textile and fashion industry with an emphasis on the technical and circular economy perspective. With the help of education, you can orient yourself to new tasks and career paths within the field.
The program combines textile and materials technology, business and marketing studies, and product development expertise with an emphasis on circular economy thinking. The textile and fashion industry is one of the largest industry and trade sectors globally. In Finland, textile and fashion industry professionals are needed for the identified international growth areas: raw materials and recycling, processing of materials, brand-based business and smart and technical textiles. The players in the field have recognized the need for competence development in product development, quality management, material competence, production processes and the circular economy, as well as business competence in terms of online shopping, marketing and branding. The new EU textile strategy has made long-lasting, high-quality, recyclable textiles made from recycled materials an important part of the sustainable textile and fashion industry of the future.
The goal of this program is to promote circular economy thinking in the industry and to create opportunities for growth in line with sustainable development. The education prepares for success in the diverse and new types of jobs in the textile and fashion industry of the future.
The study package consists of six 5 ECTS modules, which comprehensively deal with the international growth areas of the textile and fashion industry from different perspectives, forming a unified whole: textile materials in the circular economy, further processing of textiles in the circular economy, smart and technical textiles, quality management and responsibility, digital marketing and brand building, and product development and innovation in the circular economy.

Objectives

The program is suitable for persons who already have contact with the textile and fashion industry or you already work in the textile and fashion industry in production, planning, design, logistics, procurement or trade. You have a desire to develop your skills in the textile and fashion industry, focusing on circular economy thinking, sustainable growth and responsibility, digital marketing and brand building, technical and smart textiles, and product development and innovation. The program is a work-life-oriented continuous learning entity, which, after completing it, will improve your success at work. The program supports the international growth of the textile and fashion industry and employment in new jobs in the textile and fashion industry. You will gain knowledge and skills to promote the circular economy and responsibility of the textile and fashion industry, as well as development opportunities in your own work. The background of the training is influenced by the EU textile strategy, the EU's circular economy action plan and the changes in the related regulations. The program creates knowledge and understanding of how to respond to the sustainable and responsible growth of the textile and fashion industry for the various players in the value chain.
After completing the program, student will have a comprehensive view of the future growth in the textile and fashion industry. The program is formed through thematic areas: textile materials in the circular economy, processing of textiles in the circular economy, smart and technical textiles, quality management and responsibility, digital marketing and brand building, and product development and innovation in the circular economy. Student's ability to innovate sustainable solutions in the field of textile and fashion will improve.

Optionality

All compulsory

Curriculum development and working life cooperation

During the curriculum development has been used the skills need mapping and the international growth area report done by Finnish Textile & Fashion. The report was commissioned by the Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs. The training is carried out in close cooperation with representatives of working life.