Leicester College has partnered with Fashion Digital Solutions to open a Vetigraph CAD suite at its city centre St Margaret’s Campus. The training facility will be one of three in the UK and the only one outside the London area.

Back row L-R – Chelsey Johnson, Ludmila Whittaker, Wade Merry – (All Leicester College Learners), Farhan Patel (Crown Clothing Leicester Ltd), Kris Trigg (Programme Area Manager for Leicester College) Front row L-R – Roshan Valimahomed, Monica Moyana – (Leicester College Learners, Verity Hancock (Leicester College Principal), Hervé Andrieu (Fashion Digital Solutions), Govinder Singh (Miss Look ltd)

Back row L-R – Chelsey Johnson, Ludmila Whittaker, Wade Merry – (Leicester College Learners), Farhan Patel (Crown Clothing Leicester Ltd), Kris Trigg (Programme Area Manager for Leicester College)
Front row L-R – Roshan Valimahomed, Monica Moyana – (Leicester College Learners), Verity Hancock (Leicester College Principal), Hervé Andrieu (Fashion Digital Solutions), Govinder Singh (Miss Look ltd)

On Friday 20 May, Leicester College was joined by representatives from Fashion Digital Solutions and local manufacturers to witness the ribbon cutting and declare the suite open.

Vetigraph CAD software is used by fashion manufacturing companies around the world to aid precise pattern cutting while constructing a garment. Brands such as Givenchy, ASOS and Disney already use this software to help create their fashion ranges.

The UK Commission of Employment and Skills (UKCES) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that 37% of vacancies within the pattern cutting sector are due to skills shortages compared to the overall figure within other sectors of 23%.

Leicester College will provide training for fashion learners in both manual and Vetigraph CAD pattern cutting to an industry standard, which will aim to bridge the skills gap within this sector.

Principal of Leicester College, Verity Hancock said:

“There has been a resurgence of manufacturing in Leicester and the surrounding areas. To be offered the chance to work with Fashion Digital Solutions is a fantastic opportunity to broaden our contacts within the Fashion industry and help our learners gain future employment.”

Business Development Manager for Fashion Digital Solutions, Hervé Andrieu said:

“Leicester is a fantastic location to open a Vetigraph CAD Training suite as it is a central hub for many businesses that can benefit from the software.”

“We had many institutions approach us – Leicester College caught our attention after we researched into their facilities and courses and felt it was perfect.”

“We’re looking forward to working with Leicester College and local manufacturers further.”