PAD worked with Microsoft on training workshop, helped boost employment in the fashion industry

Posted Tue, 07/28/2009 - 00:00

Times are tough on the employment front, but Los Angeles trade group Fashion Business Inc., in conjunction with software giant Microsoft, is trying to do something about it.

SUPPORTIVE: Frances Harder of FBI (fourth from left) and Shahin Kohan of Focal Technology (fourth from right) with FBI members who helped displaced workers back into the work forceOn July 9, FBI graduated a class of displaced and unemployed apparel-industry workers who completed an eight-week training session using Microsoft software and industry-specific programs.

The graduates and others attended a job-search panel discussion led by recruiters from 24Seven, The Art Institute and FBI. The program launched last February and has thus far achieved a 50 percent job-placement rate.

The courses include training on Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook integrated with apparel-specific software, Apparel Information Management Systems (AIMS) and pattern-design system "pad". The program also included a free one-on-one résumé review with participants and an interview-confidence workshop scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

“The response to this program from unemployed apparel workers was both overwhelming and immediate,” said Ralinda Harvey, writer of the Microsoft Upward Potential Grant, which sponsored the program. “I received countless inquires, résumés and calls from people who wanted to participate. They were looking for work—not a long-term school commitment. This free technology training has helped many of them to reposition themselves and re-enter the workforce.”—Robert McAllister

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