Stitching Futures: Crafting Tomorrow's Creators

WHAT

The Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC) is standardizing the approach to training for the soft goods industry. It provides a nationally recognized modular curriculum for the betterment of industry and primarily for the labor force often left behind. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2020, women made up 65% of employment in the apparel manufacturing industry—this number increases when industries, like boating, automotive, and furniture that also require sewing are included.

ISAIC's Fundamentals of Industrial Sewing and Production (FISP) is the only nationally and industry-recognized, standardized sewing program in the US.  The proprietary curriculum is licensed in 8 states across the U.S. The 192-hour training course teaches students of all experience levels and generations how to operate three essential industrial sewing machines, work with different textiles, understand technical documents, and become familiar with the basics of manufacturing principles. 

HOW

Monday through Thursday, students become process-driven sewists in ISAIC's state-of-the-art classroom, or in classrooms around the nation that license the curriculum.

Students are taught the essential basics which making them the best candidates to learn   specializes and advanced equipment after completing the course.

WHY

Before ISAIC, there was no nationally recognized curriculum for sewing operators in the in the United States. Additionally, existing ones lacked connection to the fundamental principles of textiles and production, limiting operators' overall understanding. There are organizations, like the Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA), Fabrics Association International, and the National Council of Textile Organizations who offer great resources for sewn products manufacturers and operators. However, there has been a lack of standardization which does not promote the development of transferrable skills, a benefit to both career seekers and employers. 

Furthermore, the sewn goods industry has been reliant on employer-based knowledge sharing of techniques and processes for different products, machines, and systems for production. This can vary across organizations, making standardization difficult to achieve with the array of methods used to produce product. The industry has been entrenched in labor-intensive practices and processes to operate, but it is time for a shift. A movement toward leveraging innovation to elevate career paths that lead to the advancement of historically disenfranchised communities. 

WHO

Manufacturers and geographic regions seeking to  upskill their workforce and attract diverse talent would benefit from deploying ISAIC’s standardized training.  The people that ISAIC aims to benefit most from the program are those that represent underserved communities – single mothers, veterans, returning citizens, women of color, and people with disabilities.

FISP is ideal for students who are interested in seeking careers in the soft goods industry whether it be through entrepreneurship or full-time employment.