By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
British footwear retailer Kurt Geiger is strengthening its commitment to diversity within the fashion industry by significantly expanding its Business by Design Academy. The company has announced plans to hire up to 50 percent of the programme's graduates, showcasing a major investment in young talent from underrepresented backgrounds.
Launched last year with 20 students, the academy will now double its capacity due to high demand. Situated at Kurt Geiger's London headquarters, the programme provides a thorough introduction to various facets of the fashion business, including design, marketing, finance, and logistics.
This expansion comes amid increased scrutiny of the UK's creative sector for its lack of diversity. Studies show that only 16 percent of industry workers come from working class backgrounds, and just 11 percent are from minority communities.
Neil Clifford, CEO of Kurt Geiger, described the academy as a tool for democratizing access to the fashion industry. "We want to break down the walls and open up the creative industry to all," he stated, highlighting his own non traditional journey to success in the sector.
Funded by Kurt Geiger's charitable branch, the Kindness Foundation, the programme runs from September to April. It covers all participant expenses and provides paid work experience at the London Living Wage.
The initiative has been praised by prominent figures such as model and activist Adwoa Aboah. However, its impact on Kurt Geiger's operations and the broader industry remains to be seen. The company's direct hiring of graduates into its head office is a novel approach that could potentially influence recruitment practices if successful.
Nonetheless, questions linger about the long term viability of this model and its scalability for other fashion retailers. As the industry faces increasing calls for inclusivity, Kurt Geiger's academy could become a benchmark for future initiatives.
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