In Sweden, it is noticeable that the demand for competent personnel in sustainable fashion is increasing. For those who want the job of the future, there are a multitude of different educational options.
For those who want to go the academic route, there are courses in fashion science at Stockholm University and Lund University.
If you instead want to become a designer or work as, for example, a buyer in the fashion industry, there are several ways to go. A special form of education called Folkhögskola – Folk high school – runs educations that are often practically oriented. There are courses in, for example, textile redesing and sustainable textiles at several schools around the country. These schools are often located in rural areas. Folk high school courses are often preparatory for university studies.
Vocational college education (YH education) is the post-secondary education form that is most similar to university education. They are organized by private companies, municipalities, county councils and universities in collaboration with working life. The courses have a strong connection to working life and combine studies with practice. A YH training may only be started if a need is seen in the labor market. In this category, the Nordic Textile Academy stands out. They are run by Proteko, Sweden’s leading textile foundation for the Scandinavian Textile Market. They offer full-time and part-time courses, both vocational training and for already working professionals, for example Sustainability developer in textile/fashion, Circular design in textile/fashion and Sustainability reporting and legislation.
On top of this, the study associations – public education – such as Sensus offer the majority of informal interesting courses on the theme of sustainable fashion.
Swedish education for sustainable fashion
In Sweden, it is noticeable that the demand for competent personnel in sustainable fashion is increasing. For those who want the job of the future, there are a multitude of different educational options.
For those who want to go the academic route, there are courses in fashion science at Stockholm University and Lund University.
If you instead want to become a designer or work as, for example, a buyer in the fashion industry, there are several ways to go. A special form of education called Folkhögskola runs informal educations that are often practically oriented. There are courses in, for example, textile recycling and sustainable textiles at several schools around the country. These schools are often located in rural areas. Folk high school courses are often preparatory for university studies.
Vocational college education (YH education) is the post-secondary education form that is most similar to university education. They are organized by private companies, municipalities, county councils and universities in collaboration with working life. The courses have a strong connection to working life and combine studies with practice. A YH training may only be started if a need is seen in the labor market. In this category, the Nordic Textile Academy stands out. They are run by Proteko, Sweden’s leading textile foundation for the Scandinavian Textile Market. They offer full-time and part-time courses, both vocational training and for already working professionals, for example Sustainability developer in textile/fashion, Circular design in textile/fashion and Sustainability reporting and legislation.
On top of this, the study associations – public education – offer the majority of informal interesting courses on the theme of sustainable fashion.
Several of the courses can be studied remotely and most of the courses are free of charge or subsidized. This gives everyone the opportunity to educate themselves. What is missing today is training for practical jobs in repair and upcycling, something that the representatives from the educational sector sees as a necessity in the future if we are to be able to change to a sustainable and circular fashion industry.
