What Is AZ Stitch Lab?
INDUSTRIAL SEWING TRAINING
AZ Stitch Lab is an Arizona-based workforce development program run by 20+ year old nonprofit, Moonshot. (LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY & PARTNERS BELOW.)
This initiative/program aims to provide industrial sewing skills and training to Arizonans at no cost to the participant. In our 6-week Basic Industrial Sewing Skills course students will learn the following:
- Industrial Machine Operations
- Patterns
- Factory Setting Safety Protocols
- Construction and Manufacturing
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WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER TRAINING
Upon completion, participants will be offered/exposed to job opportunities with various businesses in the Arizona region!
Careers in industrial sewing are expected to offer graduates starting wages of $15 an hour with annual earning potential as high as $75,000 to $100,000 as training is extended. Graduates may find additional job opportunities in the following fields:
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History of Moonshot's AZ Stitch Lab Program
In January of 2021, Moonshot(TM), a 23-year-old Arizona nonprofit, teamed up with The City of Tucson Economic Development Team to help find a way to meet a local workforce need. It became apparent that the need for industrial sewers in the Tucson area was great. The City of Tucson and Moonshot approached entrepreneur Erica Yngve, owner of Sonoran Stitch Factory, about joining this collaboration. As an entrepreneur, seasoned industrial sewer, and factory owner, Erica knew first-hand just how much this program was needed in Tucson and throughout the industry.
Moonshot found funding to pilot the first two years of the program with investments from The City of Tucson and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Moonshot rented classroom space at Sonoran Stitch Factory, and contracted Erica Yngve to create the training program, hire trainers, and facilitate educational programs in Tucson and around the state of Arizona.
In 2022, Moonshot was awarded additional funding thanks to the Native American Rural Business Development Grant (USDA) to set up temporary "pop up" AZ Stitch Lab locations in Winslow, Sahuarita (Tohono O'odham Tribe), and Fort Yuma (Quechan Tribe).
Moonshot found funding to pilot the first two years of the program with investments from The City of Tucson and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Moonshot rented classroom space at Sonoran Stitch Factory, and contracted Erica Yngve to create the training program, hire trainers, and facilitate educational programs in Tucson and around the state of Arizona.
In 2022, Moonshot was awarded additional funding thanks to the Native American Rural Business Development Grant (USDA) to set up temporary "pop up" AZ Stitch Lab locations in Winslow, Sahuarita (Tohono O'odham Tribe), and Fort Yuma (Quechan Tribe).
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About NATBI (D.B.A. Moonshot(TM), 501c3/Tax ID 861019180
Moonshot is an entrepreneur development and workforce development nonprofit that promotes the creation and sustainable growth of local business with the purpose of job creation. Moonshot is a 23-year-old nonprofit offering multi-track programs to help businesses become ready for the market as well as entrepreneurship mentoring, workforce development, speaker series and community events. Moonshot (TM) and AZ Stitch Lab are both trademarks of NATBI d.b.a. Moonshot(TM). |
