Happy new year to our members and readers!
The TFIA aims to support and advocate the Textile, Clothing and Fashion industries, both nationally and globally. We are an independent, not for profit association that represents the interests of Australia’s Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) sector to governments, the Australian public and the global market place.
Our mission is to provide leadership, representation and membership services so as to assist excellence and innovation in the local and international TCF markets. In order to deliver on this mission our activities include:
- Advocacy and lobbying to government
- Policy development and assistance in accessing governments and their funding programs
- Industry relevant education and training activity
- Creating industry relationships amongst members, stakeholders, governments and non TCF companies
- Developing projects that focus on achieving increased industry capability, capacity and business opportunities
As we move well into 2015 and are working firmly toward outcomes for the year, we thought it valuable to take a look back at all that we were able to achieve in 2014.
Our efforts resulted in a range of projects, consultancy, advocacy, submissions and industry representation specifically tailored to our industry.
We took on secretariat and facilitator roles throughout the year including the TCF National Sector Manager role for the Industry Capability Network (ICN), the Australian Made Clothing and Textile Hubs for the Manufacturing Excellence Taskforce of Australia (META) and SmartTex as part of the Swinburne Design Factory. Our contributions saw numerous linkages made between TCF businesses, the government and R&D institutions; as well as other cross sector opportunities developed.
In the area of advocacy, we were able to meet with various government ministers and departments at all levels, to articulate and push the challenges and opportunities of Australia’s TCF sector. Some of these included the Minister for Industry – Minister Ian MacFarlane, Minister for Employment – Senator Eric Abetz, Shadow Industry Minister – Senator Kim Carr and the Greens’ Adam Bandt.
2014 also saw a number of response submissions from us including the Post Implementation Review of the Fair Work Amendment (TCF Industry) Act 2012, the Entrepreneurs Infrastructure Programme, Industry Skills fund, Defence White Paper 2015 and Competition Policy Review.
Last but certainly not least, we continued our representation on a number of committees and associations, including Standards Australia (TFIA Standards & Product Safety Committee), Manufacturing Skills Australia, Australian Design Alliance, International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and the International Apparel Federation (IAF).
What an enormous year! Thank you to all who were involved through membership and collaboration. We couldn’t do it without your ongoing support and participation.
Looking forward, what can you expect from TFIA in 2015?
- Our website’s events page is regularly updated with upcoming workshops/seminars and special deals from our industry partners
- This month will mark the launch of our E-newsletter which aims to keep you informed on all things ‘TCF’ including; TFIA news, relevant local and national government information, opportunities for grants and funding, business support and mentoring opportunities, spotlight articles on our members so you can get to know each other, and more. Join the mailing list here to make sure you’re informed.
- We will be rolling out new member packages to ensure you receive the best service and support for your business. Part of this will include the opportunity to be involved in three industry forum groups that will focus on the sustainable growth of the Australian TCF industry. The forums will be broken down as Government, Clothing and Footwear and Textiles Forums. Furth details on how to get involved will be provided soon.
- The Textile & Fashion Hub based in Richmond at the Kangan Institute will continue its role of supporting the industry with a range of workshops and manufacture support – stay tuned as more is announced in the coming weeks
- Our Common Threads project, supported by Austrade, will kick off in April with Export Ready Workshops and continue through until August. This project aims to equip suitable businesses with the knowledge, tools and connections they need to create global business by accessing new markets in Asia, focusing specifically on Hong Kong. All details will be included on our website.
We really look forward to continuing work with our members and industry this year, and to forming new relationships along the way.
Here’s to a productive 2015!
Council of Textile & Fashion Blog 