THE launch of a new textile academy at Keighley College has been hailed a major breakthrough in ensuring local manufacturing firms get the skilled employees they need.

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins unveiled a plaque at the brand new facility in Bradford Road last Friday. (Jan 20)

The initiative has been made possible through a £30,000 investment from the Textile Growth Fund following close co-operation with local employers to secure the funding.

Speaking at the launch, Colin Booth, chief executive officer and principal of Leeds City College, thanked everyone involved in making the academy a reality.

"This is a fantastic example of employers, politicians, the council and the college working on something that will benefit the local area," he added.

"Textiles is a key, growing industry which as a college we need to respond to by making sure there are skilled people ready to enter that industry."

Chris Stott, head of business engagement at Keighley College, said: "In the Aire Valley alone there are 38 companies involved in the textile sector, a sector which has survived recession and closures.

"It has survived by making quality products efficiently and by investing in new technology, but it has struggled to recruit staff."

Steve Shrimpton, managing director of Gresley Road-based firm JTS Cushions, explained how the new academy would help to provide a new generation of employees for businesses such as his own.

"We've previously been recognised as being 'sweat shops', 'the rag trade' and 'dark satanic mills'," he said.

"But it's not like that anymore. Our employees want to come to work, we train them and there's a lot of technology involved.

"We want to be a modern, lean, right-first-time outfit that can operate on a global basis.

"But one of the gaps we have is that the older end of our staff is starting to retire, and we need trained sewing machine operators to keep the business going.

"The more people who are employed in this town and the more revenue that is spread around, then the more prosperous Keighley becomes which will make the town a better place."

Mark Clayton, strategy and engagement officer for Bradford Council, said: "For businesses and the economy to thrive it's critical that we ensure we have skilled employees.

"Keighley's fortunes were made in textiles and engineering and one in five Keighley jobs are still in manufacturing."

The new academy features equipment that includes nine industrial sewing machines, a five-metre cutting table and industrial cutting knives.

Students will complete a four-week course that will cover employability skills, work experience, and hands-on sessions with the latest industrial equipment.

At the end of the programme, the students will be offered a job interview with a local employer, such as college partners Fibreline or JTS Cushions, and the ability to progress to a full apprenticeship.

Formally opening the academy in front of dozens of visitors last week, Mr Hopkins said the college had responded to the need to support the manufacturing sector.

He added that major steps had been taken to slash unemployment rates in Keighley, noting that local Department for Work and Pensions staff were working hard to help unemployed people find jobs.

"What we need now is to talk to young people more successfully about careers and options," he said.