Specialty Fabrics Review March 2022 - 6

[ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ]
[ CALENDAR OF EVENTS ]
Solving a global problem
B
ack in January, we told you about the labor shortage affecting
many American industries (page 22, Specialty Fabrics Review,
January 2022). But even as more people get vaccinated against
COVID-19 and the economy gains strength, labor shortages
continue to perplex businesses not just in the U.S. but around the world.
How can the textiles industry attract new talent? One problem is
that many people have the mistaken impression that textile factories
are dirty, labor-intensive sweatshops. Obviously, the industry must find
ways to change that perception. Toward that end,
manufacturers and associations have been funding
programs and scholarships to attract new talent.
For example, last year Amy Bircher, founder
Tim Goral,
Senior Editor
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and CEO of MMI Textiles and newly elected
IFAI board chair, donated more than $200,000
to the West Virginia University Davis College
of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
(her alma mater) to provide fashion, dress and
merchandising students with enhanced educational
opportunities in textile science.
Glen Raven Inc., a global textile company based
near Burlington, N.C., recently donated $250,000
to the NC State Wilson College of Textiles to support
the college's Textile Pioneer Scholarship Program as
well as the Dean's Textile Innovation Fund.
Gaston College in Belmont, N.C., was given
$5.3 million by the Gaston County Board of
Commissioners to build a new Fiber Innovation
Center on campus. The FIC will be a resource of
the Manufacturing & Textile Innovation Network
to develop a regional workforce focused on advanced materials and
textile testing development.
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
(AATCC) continues to offer scholarships and fellowship opportunities
for undergraduate and graduate students in any textile-related discipline.
And Bring Back the Trades, a not-for-profit organization, awards
scholarships to qualified students and collaborates with educators,
community leaders and trades businesses to change the perception
of the trades within the educational system.
These efforts and others are a positive first step to rebuilding
a vital American workforce.
All calendar events are subject to change.
Please check event websites for the latest information.
6 SPECIALTY FABRICS REVIEW / March 2022
March 2022
USIFI/NFI Virtual Advocacy Days 2022
MARCH 1-2
www.ifai.com/event/usifi-nfi-virtual-advocacy-days-2022/
Smart Fabrics Summit
MARCH 28-29 / Talley Student Union,
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.
www.smartfabricssummit.com
April 2022
Fabricators Conference and Showcase
APRIL 12 / Northcoast Canvas Training
Workshops, Port Clinton, Ohio
www.ifai.com/fabricatorsconference/
Outlook Conference 2022
APRIL 24-26 / The Omni Homestead Resort,
Hot Springs, Va.
www.ifai.com/event/outlook-conference-2022
October 2022
Oct. 1-4, 2019
Orlando, FL
Orange County Convention Center
SAVE THE DATE
Oct. 12-14, 2022 | Education: Oct. 11-14
Charlotte Convention Center
Charlotte, N.C. USA
www.ifaiexpo.com
January 2023
Tent Conference 2023
JANUARY 11-13 / Hyatt Regency Savannah,
Savannah, Ga.
https://tent.ifai.com/events/conference/
Marine Fabricators Conference 2023
JANUARY 26-28 / Sheraton New Orleans,
New Orleans, La.
https://marine.ifai.com/marine-fabricators-conference/

http://www.ifai.com/event/usifi-nfi-virtual-advocacy-days-2022/ http://www.smartfabricssummit.com http://www.ifai.com/fabricatorsconference/ http://www.ifai.com/event/outlook-conference-2022 http://www.ifaiexpo.com http://www.SpecialtyFabricsReview.com https://tent.ifai.com/events/conference/ https://marine.ifai.com/marine-fabricators-conference/

Specialty Fabrics Review March 2022

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