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Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. A heritage craft is considered to be viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. For more information on definitions see http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/categories-of-risk/
People earning their main craft income from this craft (selling, commissions, conservation/ restoration and/or teaching).
People practicing this craft commercially (selling, commissions, conservation/restoration and/or teaching) but as less than half of their income.
People acquiring skills in order to become a professional in this craft, they probably have to work under supervision even if they are earning money while training.
People whose knowledge and ability is at a level of the most skilled practitioners of this craft.
People who do not intend to practice this craft professionally or at the highest level.
Training and recruitment issues: There are no government apprenticeships in rattan weaving or any access to funding to support training. Soane runs its own apprenticeship training programme which is has trained 4 apprentices and is currently training a further 10. These apprentices benefit from the company’s membership of the National Living Wage Foundation, ensuring that they receive fair wages even while in training.
Skills issues: Currently there is only one rattan company working in the UK, meaning that all the skills and knowledge of rattan furniture making are held in one place. Soane are actively investing in skills but this is potentially risky in the longer term.
A significant amount of skills were lost since the 1970s, when a lot of manufacturing was moved to Asia.
Sourcing and sustainability of raw materials: Rattan is primarily sourced from tropical regions of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. It grows as a vine in dense rainforests, climbing trees for support. Harvested sustainably, rattan is valued for its rapid growth and renewability. However, tracing sources and verifying production methods in extended supply chains outside the UK is extremely challenging and there are no verified standards or certification systems specifically for rattan.
Soane are tackling this issue by establishing direct relationships with suppliers in Vietnam and sourcing materials in person to ensure traceability and fair working conditions. Despite this, the challenges of traceability are ongoing and further work is needed to establish certification and third party verification for materials like rattan.
Sourcing good quality material has always been an issue for rattan, which can vary widely in quality.
e.g. lack of qualifications, funding for training etc.
If yes, please describe the issues below
e.g. lack of demand for products/skills etc.
Tick the box if there are difficulties with the supply of raw materials, allied materials or tools
i.e. issues around running any small business, not just crafts
Is the main workforce made up of people who are approaching retirement age?
e.g. legal restrictions on materials, health and safety etc.
e.g. Brexit, Covid-19, conflict
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Please list any known practitioners of this craft — add a row item for each person or business and complete the fields to the best of your knowledge. To get started click the `Add practitioner` button below.
It may include when and where the craft developed, how it has changed over time, etc.
e.g. festivals, religious celebrations, agricultural practices, music, dance etc.
e.g. religious, ethnic, social class. Please give an overview of the techniques involved in the craft.
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