The Textile Centre of Excellence is a private, not for profit business. The Board of Directors is made up of 10 local business leaders from textile manufacturers that, both locally and globally, supply the world’s initial fashion houses and technical fabric markets. The business has altered importantly since its inception in 1976 and is proud to represent the sector as the Textile Centre of Excellence, a £2 million improved located in the heart of the UK textile sector, Huddersfield. The organisation is heavily involved in R&D projects with ESF and ERDF funding. It is the recognised national Group Training Association (GTA) and ensures a large diversity of training and development for employees within the textile, fashion and apparel sector.

The Centre offers quality assured, flexible training at all levels from pre-entry traineeships to establishment degree equivalent programmes. The Centre is a recognised BS EN ISO 9001: 2008 organisation, holds the ‘Matrix’ standard for Knowledge, Advance and Guidance (IAG) and has secured the Creative Skillset Industry Tick for industry relevant training and abilities provision. The Centre operates as a Group Training Association and works closely with its member firms to provide the voice of the industry steers abilities development. The Textile Centre of Excellence also works with a diversity of public and private sector organisations to help develop activity to stimulate innovation and to supply abilities in fields of relevance to the area’s manufacturing industry.