Barbour expands Simonside factory and opens training academy
Barbour has announced an expansion of its factory at Simonside in South Shields, creating around 40 new jobs as the historic outdoor clothing company responds to what it calls “unprecedented global demand”. The move will increase production capacity for the firm’s celebrated Bedale wax jackets and brings a renewed focus on local manufacturing skills.
The company says the additional capacity will come from increasing the number of production lines at its South Shields site. To support recruitment, Barbour has launched an on-site training centre, the Barbour Academy, which will deliver a roughly three-month training programme for new recruits before they move onto supervised work on the factory floor.
“We are excited to be recruiting for trainee machinists to join our team in South Shields. No experience is necessary as full training will be provided,” said company chairman Dame Margaret Barbour.
Barbour has emphasised that while the initial training course is about three months long, it can take up to a year for machinists to become fully proficient in the specialist skills needed to produce the brand’s iconic wax jackets. Trainees will begin on simpler items such as tote bags and progress to more complex pieces as their skills develop.
Local recruitment and community partnerships
The first five trainee machinists have already started training at the Barbour Academy. The company is working with local organisations including Smart Works North East and Suitability, which support women and men returning to work, and it is also seeking referrals from existing employees, their families and friends.
- Jobs to be created: approximately 40 machinist roles
- Initial trainees started: 5
- Training length (academy): around 3 months
- Expected full proficiency: up to 1 year
Barbour has indicated that all machinist training is due to be completed by the middle of next February. That timetable is set ahead of a planned relocation of Barbour’s customer services operations—including re-waxing, repairs and its Barbour Re-Loved scheme—to a new site at Simonside.
What it means for South Shields and the wider area
Manufacturing and skilled trades remain important to the North East economy, and Barbour’s investment in training at Simonside represents a direct boost to local employment and skills development in South Shields. The company’s approach—combining on-site training with partnerships to support recruits back into work—aligns with wider efforts in the region to tackle long-term unemployment and broaden opportunities into manufacturing roles.
For the town’s garment and textile supply chain, the expansion could create knock-on demand for local services and suppliers, while the relocation of customer-facing processes to Simonside may increase footfall and activity at the site. Barbour’s commitment to growing production in South Shields contrasts with trends in some sectors where work has been relocated overseas, signalling a vote of confidence in the town’s workforce and manufacturing capability.
Training timetable at a glance
| Item | Timing |
|---|---|
| Barbour Academy initial course | ~3 months |
| Trainees currently started | 5 |
| Target for completion of machinist training | Mid next February |
| Time to full proficiency | Up to 1 year |
The announcement comes as Barbour—whose jackets are known worldwide and worn by public figures and performers—seeks to scale up production in response to rising sales overseas. The company’s statement frames the recruitment drive as both a response to demand and a long-term investment in skilled jobs in the community.
For residents of South Shields, the expansion offers a tangible opportunity: new entry routes into skilled factory work, employer-provided training, and roles connected to a nationally recognised brand. Local groups involved in supporting people back into employment will play a key role in ensuring those opportunities reach communities who stand to benefit most.
