Restructuring for 1992: Training Women to Meet Shortfalls in Technical and Managerial Skills

Abstract

Based on a survey of managements’ response to the challenges of 1992, the author argues that the survival of the garments industry in the UK and in other older EC countries depends on the availability of trained managers who can cope with the demands of new technology. The training should be geared to giving technical expertise, as well as a good understanding of financial and marketing strategies. Women, who are traditionally the majority of workers in this sector, are in a good position to acquire these skills. The paper draws our attention to the need to redesign the existing management courses to meet the demands of women and of the industry. The potential role of the European Commission in initiating and sustaining such training programmes is also described in some detail.

This article is based on a series of interviews conducted as part of a group of research projects supported by the Department of Trade and Industry under the NAB/Pickup programme for 1992, by Nottingham Polytechnic Research Committee, and by Nottinghamshire County Council.