The occupational profile of the design workforce is strongly weighted towards higher level occupational groups:

• 20% of total employment are managers, divided between generic management roles and industry-specific management roles such as design/creative manager/director, production manager and sample room manager
• more than 25% occupy design roles
• 25% of workers are in operative roles, specifically sewing machinists and cutters
• associate professional level, sales and marketing roles make a significant contribution to total employment

Source: Skills Needs Assessment – fashion design 2005a