09 Nov International Delegation from South Korea Visits FC Designer Workspace to Explore UK Fashion Education and Skills Development

FC Designer Workspace in Islington welcomed an international delegation from the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRDK) on 9th November 2026, as part of a wider visit exploring how UK vocational education, apprenticeships and industry-led training can help shape the future of the fashion and textile workforce.

The 21 representatives from HRDK, a government agency operating under South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor, began their visit at FC Designer Workspace before continuing to Fashion-Enter Ltd’s (FEL) Haringey factory and learning facility.

Led by Jenny Holloway, CEO and Founder of Fashion-Enter Ltd and Chair of the Apparel & Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF), the visit provided an opportunity to showcase how creative education, practical skills development and direct industry engagement can create meaningful pathways into employment and enterprise.

Showcasing the Future of Fashion Education

At FC Designer Workspace, the delegation was introduced to Fashion-Enter’s approach to supporting emerging designers, developing technical skills and helping new fashion businesses establish themselves within the industry.

The Islington campus provides a creative and educational environment where students can develop their design capabilities while gaining a deeper understanding of the technical and commercial requirements of the fashion industry.

During the visit, representatives met tutors, viewed student work and explored the role of FC Designer Collective in connecting designers with manufacturing expertise and the wider fashion business community.

The discussions highlighted the importance of combining creative talent with practical industry knowledge. Developing a successful fashion business requires much more than design ability; it also involves understanding production processes, garment construction, quality, sourcing and the commercial considerations involved in bringing a collection to market.

The delegation also gained insight into how FC Designer Workspace supports designers in progressing from initial concepts through to developing commercially viable products, helping bridge the gap between education and industry.

Connecting Skills with Industry

A key focus of the visit was understanding how the UK’s vocational education and apprenticeship systems support the development of a skilled workforce.

Jenny Holloway shared insights into Fashion-Enter’s education programmes, qualifications and training facilities, explaining how practical learning and employer engagement can ensure that training reflects the real requirements of the fashion and textile sector.

The delegation was particularly interested in curriculum development, collaboration between education providers and employers, employment outcomes and the role of government support in encouraging vocational training.

These discussions continued during the visit to Fashion-Enter’s Haringey factory and learning facility, where representatives explored ethical garment manufacturing, micro-factory operations and sustainable production solutions.

The Haringey visit also demonstrated how practical manufacturing environments can complement education, giving learners the opportunity to understand production techniques and gain experience of working within an industry setting.

Sharing Knowledge and Building International Connections

For FC Designer Workspace, hosting the delegation was an opportunity to demonstrate the important role that creative education and industry collaboration play in developing the next generation of fashion professionals.

The exchange also highlighted shared challenges facing the UK and South Korean fashion industries, including technical skills shortages, changing manufacturing technologies and the need to create attractive career opportunities for young people.

By bringing together education, enterprise and manufacturing, Fashion-Enter Ltd continues to champion a joined-up approach to skills development, ensuring that emerging talent has access to the knowledge, facilities and industry connections needed to progress.

The visit reinforced the value of international collaboration and knowledge-sharing, with FC Designer Workspace providing the starting point for an engaging discussion about the future of fashion education, vocational training and the global fashion workforce.