AZ Stitch Lab in the News
TrendReport April 2022
AZ Stitch Lab featured in TrendReport April 2022.
Media Release |
TUCSON, ARIZONA
December 2021
CITY OF TUCSON ANNOUNCES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP TO ADDRESS SKILLS GAP IN INDUSTRIAL SEWING TRADESThe City of Tucson recently approved an agreement with NATBI (Doing business as Moonshot), a 21-year-old business incubator program, for the purpose of launching a workforce accelerator program in industrial sewn goods manufacturing. The program will launch in January 2022 and aims to train approximately one hundred people seeking employment in this growing industry sector.
Moonshot, together with Tucson-based Sonoran Stitch Factory, will conduct the training program which features 12-week and 9-week courses in industrial sewing, digital pattern making, 3D modeling and entrepreneurship.
There will also be training for sewing machine technicians and logistics and fulfillment.
According to the City’s Director of Economic Initiatives, Barbra Coffee, this program is a response to an immediate need in the community. “It is wonderful when we have the opportunity to assist a local company with training and hiring that helps them scale and grow their business in Tucson,” said Coffee. “This program not only addresses a skills gap for Sonoran Stitch Factory, but also benefits all sewn goods manufacturing operations in our region as graduates of the program will be eligible for hiring from other local employers seeking similar talent.”
Careers in industrial sewing are expected to offer graduates of the program starting wages of $15 an hour with annual earning potential as high as $75,000 to $100,000 as training is extended.
Scott Hathcock, CEO of Moonshot explains that trainees may also choose an entrepreneurial track to explore their own business formation. “This gives students the possibility of unlimited earning potential,” said Hathcock. “Graduates of our workforce accelerator may see themselves working for a company or perhaps starting their own company which is a powerful choice to be able to make.”
A majority of the training will be conducted at Sonoran Stitch Factory which sits in the heart of Thrive in the 05, a focus area of revitalization for the City of Tucson in the 85705 zip code. Community members will have a chance to participate in clothing and fabric donation drives as training providers desire to use material that would otherwise be discarded and headed for the landfill.
Moonshot, together with Tucson-based Sonoran Stitch Factory, will conduct the training program which features 12-week and 9-week courses in industrial sewing, digital pattern making, 3D modeling and entrepreneurship.
There will also be training for sewing machine technicians and logistics and fulfillment.
According to the City’s Director of Economic Initiatives, Barbra Coffee, this program is a response to an immediate need in the community. “It is wonderful when we have the opportunity to assist a local company with training and hiring that helps them scale and grow their business in Tucson,” said Coffee. “This program not only addresses a skills gap for Sonoran Stitch Factory, but also benefits all sewn goods manufacturing operations in our region as graduates of the program will be eligible for hiring from other local employers seeking similar talent.”
Careers in industrial sewing are expected to offer graduates of the program starting wages of $15 an hour with annual earning potential as high as $75,000 to $100,000 as training is extended.
Scott Hathcock, CEO of Moonshot explains that trainees may also choose an entrepreneurial track to explore their own business formation. “This gives students the possibility of unlimited earning potential,” said Hathcock. “Graduates of our workforce accelerator may see themselves working for a company or perhaps starting their own company which is a powerful choice to be able to make.”
A majority of the training will be conducted at Sonoran Stitch Factory which sits in the heart of Thrive in the 05, a focus area of revitalization for the City of Tucson in the 85705 zip code. Community members will have a chance to participate in clothing and fabric donation drives as training providers desire to use material that would otherwise be discarded and headed for the landfill.
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