Textiles Clothing and Footwear Sectors

Clothing Production
Clothing Production comprises enterprises engaged in the manufacturing of all forms of clothing except leather, fur and headwear. There are an estimated 2400 businesses employing 19,400 people, generating annual turnover of $2.5 billion (2000-01). Reduction in tariffs, increasing competition from imports and rapidly changing consumer tastes and fashions create significant challenges.

In response Clothing Production companies have adopted innovative strategies focussing on product design, development and innovation, high value added products, a sophisticated marketing strategy focussing on brands, and expansion of export markets.

As a result, jobs within Clothing Production have shifted away from process activities to focus on design, supply, maintenance, and reaching consumers and retailers. Clothing Production now needs people with a strong understanding of production skills and very ‘sector specific’ business knowledge. Exporting is a very important aspect of this industry and business skills are required which encompass export market research, financial, political and cultural issues, and supply chain management with a shift towards the skills and knowledge required by designers, buyers, importers, marketing staff through to retailers.


Cotton Ginning
Cotton Ginning is a small, export-focused niche industry that operates in a highly competitive environment. Cotton Ginning involves separating cotton from its seeds prior to sale to spinning mills and for use in the production of fabric. Ninety-five per cent of the output of the industry is ginned cotton and five per cent of output is cottonseed, sold to oil manufacturers and feedlots. In 2000-01 there were 13 companies employing 240 full time workers and 1170 casual workers. Industry turnover was $2.3 billion (2000-01). Cotton Ginning is overwhelmingly an export industry with approximately 90 per cent of output going to export with the remaining 10 per cent used by domestic textile manufacturers. The industry is continuing to invest in new capital equipment, and development of new technology in the growing of cotton, most notably genetic engineering and the emergence of transgenic crops are expected to change the nature of Australia’s ginned cotton. The outlook period to 2007 should see moderate growth for the industry with average annual growth of 3.1 per cent.

Cotton Ginning skill requirements are production operations, production supervision, workplace training and assessment. Among the seasonal workers there is a high demand for training, especially in Occupational Health and Safety, and production skills, as each year there is an intake of new casual employees.


Dry Cleaning Operations
The Dry Cleaning Operations industry comprises enterprises engaged in the cleaning of clothes and other fabric dry cleaning services, including cleaning, pressing and finishing. An estimated 4900 people are employed in 1000 on-site businesses, generating sales and service income of $158 million in 2001-02. Most businesses are small or micro operations, with few large or dominant operators.

In recent years the industry has undergone rationalisation and change, driven by introduction of new technologies, increasing occupational health and safety regulation, and changes in clothing types and customer requirements.

The industry has responded to the new market place and position by responding to the needs of the ‘new’ consumer – busy, professionals prepared to pay for high quality personal services including cleaning. The introduction of new technologies, such as barcoding systems to identify and track items, and computer-based customer information systems, are improving customer service and reducing costs.

Skill requirements for Dry Cleaning Operations include production skills (eg pressing), compliance with OHS and environmental regulations, and production supervision.


Early Stage Wool Pressing
Early Stage Wool Processing comprises businesses engaged in the scouring, carbonising, carding, combing of wool and the manufacture of unspun wool tops. Early Stage Wool Processors supply raw product to the wider textile manufacturing industry. The industry has made significant investment to deliver quality product, while meeting environmental performance and productivity targets. There are about 40 businesses employing 1500 people, and generating an annual gross turnover of $560 million (2000-01).

Early Stage Wool Processing is an almost exclusively exporting sector that is using new technologies and improved efficiency measures to compete in markets that are subject to many pressures driven by consumer demand and competition from new fabrics. The industry has expanded during the past decade, in spite of substantial competition from new entrants to the market such as China, India and eastern Europe.

Diverse markets for Australian early stage processed wool include China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, India, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. The efficiencies achieved in the sector have enabled it to compete in markets that are highly price sensitive and demand quality of product and service.

Skill requirements for Early Stage Wool Processing relate to production operations, production supervision, workplace training and assessment.


Footwear Production
The Footwear Production industry covers businesses engaged in making footwear or footwear components for the high volume, mass produced product as well as custom-made, high value shoes. The industry generated $506 million turnover in 2000-01, with an estimated 150 businesses employing over 3,700 people.

Subject to high levels of competition from overseas markets and growing levels of imports, Footwear Production has been significantly affected by reduced tariffs and competition from imported shoes. The industry today is characterised by small businesses that address specific niche markets, such as golf shoes or nurses’ shoes. These businesses work closely with customers to meet specialist needs, while the high-end custom made footwear segment continues to build a market for unique and individualised products. Industry activities are labour intensive, with automation and the introduction of new technology playing a lesser role than in other manufacturing sectors.

Skill requirements for Footwear Production relate to production operations, production supervision, workplace training and assessment, and product development in technology and design.


Footwear Repair
The Footwear Repair industry comprises small and micro businesses offering a diverse range of services. There are an estimated 825 enterprises employing about 1500 people across Australia - turnover in 2001-02 was $63.1 million (shoe repair) and $23.7 million (engraving).

Shoe repairers cut more keys than locksmiths. While the primary activity and income source derives from shoe repairs, additional income streams are generated from areas that include: custom made shoes (medical, specialist and or fashion shoes); shoe retailing; saddlery work; key-cutting; locksmithing; and general retailing.

General retailing includes: sales of moccasin; wallets; belts; bags; watch batteries and bands; vacuum bags; house plaques; rubber stamps; dry cleaning and a diverse range of other services that meet local needs and reflect the skills of the owner/operator.

The industry operating environment is complex and diverse, requiring technical and retailing skills. The delivery of training and the transfer and growth of skills is critical to ensure new entrants - and younger people - join the Footwear Repair workforce.


Headwear/Millinery
The Headwear/Millinery industry comprises manufacturing of high volume production headwear, and creation of customised millinery, in an atelier environment. An estimated 280 businesses employed 2,560 people, generating an annual turnover of $245 million, in 2000-01. Both Headwear and Millinery sectors are dominated by small businesses, often sole traders.

Demand for product is driven by a complex range of factors including: changes in fashion; tightening government regulation for the wearing of safety headwear; and an increasing awareness of health issues - such as skin cancer and the benefits of limiting sun exposure.

The industry is subject to competition from imported headwear, largely drawn from India, Indonesia and Pakistan.

Production of headwear and hats is labour intensive and for many functions requires high levels of skill. Skills required for the Headwear/ Millinery industry relate to production operations, production supervision, workplace training and assessment, and product development in technology and design.


Hide Skin and Leather
The Hide, Skin and Leather industry comprises businesses processing leather, animal skins or fur. The processes involved include: tanning; currying; dressing; finishing; dying; embossing or japanning. Approximately 130 businesses employ 3,570 people, generating an annual turnover of $843 million in 2000-01. This niche industry operates in a highly competitive environment and is concentrated in New South Wales and Victoria.

Exports account for 75 per cent of production, but enterprises face intense competition from different types of leather (bovine, sheep and others), from synthetic materials and other textiles. In spite of these challenges, export production worth $545 million was generated during 2000-01.

New Zealand is the largest supplier of competing imports, with other significant sources being Italy, Thailand and Argentina.

The sector strives to remain competitive through development of new export markets, new products and higher levels of processing to improve the end product. The industry is introducing new technology, particularly in relation to the management of environmental impacts of industry activities.

The industry is dominated by a small number of major operators. Skills required for the Hide, Skin and Leather industry profile relate to production operations, production supervision, workplace training and assessment, and product development in technology and design.


Laundry Operations
The Laundry Operations industry comprises businesses engaged in laundering a wide variety of linens, garments and other goods in the industrial, commercial and domestic sectors. Hospitals and other health care facilities, the hospitality industry, tourism, retail, automotive, food production, pharmaceutical and other light and heavy industry are major customer groups. The sector also serves the domestic market through laundrettes and some small drycleaners.

There are an estimated 1600 enterprises operating 1980 or sites, and employing more than 15,000 people. The Laundry Operations industry generated sales and service income of $486 million in 2001-02.

The Laundry Operations sector has experienced modest growth and this trend is expected to continue. Laundry Operators are seeking creative solutions to ensure continued growth; this includes the diversification of services such as moving into linen rental and concentrating on quality and service differentiation, to build customer loyalty. The sector is also seeing a growing trend towards vertical integration of operations, with some enterprises now manufacturing linen and industrial work clothes.

Skills required in Laundry Operations relate to production operations, production supervision, and workplace training and assessment.


Leather Goods Production
The Australian Leather Goods industry has undergone major restructuring following a reduction in tariffs. Considerable challenges remain but with clear identification of new niche markets and an eye for quality many enterprises remain strong.

There are an estimated 99 enterprises operating in the Leather Goods industry, employing 570 people and turning over $77.5 million in 2000-01. These businesses are engaged in manufacturing products of leather or leather substitutes (not including footwear or leather clothing) such as machine belting, industrial packing, suitcases, handbags, wallets or similar products, saddlery or harness.

Challenges include declining markets in some areas, and pressure from imports and substitute product classes such as plastics and fabrics. Balancing this are opportunities for growth based on operators’ ability to identify and exploit new niche markets in Australia and overseas. Improved quality control and the introduction of new and improved technologies is assisting this growth potential.

Skills required for Leather Goods relate to production operations, production supervision, workplace training and assessment, and product development in technology and design.


Medical Grade Footwear
Medical Grade Footwear businesses supply a specific niche market providing custom-made shoes. The industry comprises about 80 small businesses, which employ about 100 people. The majority of these companies provide a complete assessment of client needs and then fully custom make orthopaedic shoes and orthoses. The industry turned over $15 million in 2000-01.

The majority of industry practitioners do not have any formal qualifications. There are opportunities for the industry to improve workforce skills and production efficiency. Training Package requirements for the development of qualification frameworks for Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma have been developed and endorsed.


TCF Mechanic/Technician
TCF Mechanic/Technician industry is closely associated with Textile Production. It also includes mechanics and technicians who work on industrial machines in Clothing Production, Textile Production, Textile Fabrication, Leather Goods Production and Footwear Production.

The profile is under development in consultation with a range of stakeholders (industry associations, unions and key companies) in the TCF industry.


Textile Fabrication
Textile Fabrication is one of the star performers of the Textile Clothing and Footwear industries, with turnover approaching $800 million per year and growth in line with the Australian economy. Textile Fabrication businesses produce an extremely diverse range of products using natural and synthetic textiles. Products include nautical sails, covers and canopies, tents and marquees, tarpaulins and other transport supplies, blinds and awnings, domestic shade sails, roofing structures for outdoor public venues, bags and satchels, promotional products such as flags, banners, signs and inflatable products, and liners for pools, dams and tanks.

The Textile Fabrication industry has grown with the development of a range of synthetic materials used in specialist industries, such as the aerospace industry, as well as manufacture of new wave products including geotextiles, car linings, bullet-proof vests, insulation materials (building textiles), medical products, and specialist textiles for agriculture and road construction. The industry is growing steadily and recorded an annual turnover of $784.5 million in 2000-01. Research by the Australian Canvas and Synthetic Products Association (ACASPA) indicates that there are more than 800 businesses, each employing between 5 and 10 people.

A major issue facing the industry is the trend of many larger companies to manufacture the fabric in Australia and then to send it overseas to be made up into the finished article. Industry sources and the industry association, ACASPA, report that access to a trained and skilled workforce remains one of the most important factors influencing the development of businesses in this industry.

Skill requirements for the Textile Fabrication industry relate to pattern making and product design, material selection and handling, production operations, computerised textile fabrication systems, retail and customer service skills, marketing skills, export knowledge, product development, safe and responsible use of chemicals, small business management, logistics and warehousing, workplace training and assessment, and occupational health and safety.


Textile Production
Textile Production industry businesses perform a wide variety of activities including spinning, weaving, and knitting to create fabrics, garments, and hosiery, textile finishing, including dyeing and finishing as well as printing, carpet manufacture, and producing rope, cordage and twine. The industry covers design and manufacture of finished textiles for use in production of clothing, carpets, bedding, towels and textiles used in the furnishing industry. In 2000-01, there were 443 businesses employing 21,300 people and the industry generated a turnover $3,203.7 million.

The Textile Production industry operates in a challenging environment and faces growing competition from imports and declining sales to other manufacturing industries – who also face contracting markets. Although the Textile Production industry has experienced a long period of contraction, it remains an important component of the overall manufacturing industry, particularly within regional areas in Victoria, New South Wales and to a lesser extent, Queensland. Turnover in Textile Production shows considerable variability with a few sectors maintaining or even growing turnover and others showing substantial decline. Successful companies are adopting leading edge manufacturing techniques, new technology, skilled staff and market understanding.

The industry has a number of major players including a number of the nation’s oldest companies. Many of the companies are well recognised Australian brands and others, such as Sussan Corporation, are vertically integrated with retail as well as manufacturing.

Skills required in the Textile Production industry relate to production operations, production multiskilling, computerised textile production systems, teamwork, team leadership, supervisory skills, change management skills, compliance with Occupational Health and Safety and environmental regulations, workplace training and assessment, literacy and communication.