There are numerous jobs in the industrial field, but not enough qualified professionals to fill them. The HFC Industrial Sewing Program provides certified professionals to meet that need in Southeast Michigan.
HFC is on the cutting edge, offering the Industrial Sewing Certification Program (ISCP) – the first of its kind in the state of Michigan. The ISCP was launched in 2014. To date, more than 53 people have earned an Industrial Sewing Certificate. The ISCP is a partnership between HFC, the Detroit Garment Group (DGG), Lear Corporation, and SEMCA Michigan Works!
The ISCP trains individuals for entry-level jobs within the industrial sewing field. Topics covered in the ISCP include safety, ergonomics, sewing machine operation, stitching and finishing, set-up, quality, maintenance and troubleshooting. Students train with woven knits, expanded vinyl, fine fabrics, and leather. The ISCP prepares its graduates for careers in:
HFC is currently accepting applications for its Industrial Sewing Certificate Program for the Fall 2017 semester, running from Sept. 18 to Oct. 28.
- Automotive sewing
- Automotive interiors
- Clothing manufacturing
- Boat canvas and interiors
- Awning manufacturing.
“The ISCP is a direct response to the need for skilled industrial sewing professionals throughout businesses across Michigan. We at HFC want Michigan to be the premier state for industrial sewing,” said Jan Artushin, HFC ISCP coordinator.
Artushin stated that as the number and complexity of projects increase, so does the level of skills. Students will develop a portfolio of seams and stitches to show employers their versatility, including open seams, closed seams, flat-filled seams, cover stitching, binding seams, and elastic seams. The ISCP also offers field trips to various employers in order to learn what skill sets are required for various jobs in the field of industrial sewing.
National estimates and mean wage estimates for sewing machine operators throughout the United States (U.S.):
- Employment: 141,520
- Employment RSE (relative standard error of employment estimate): 1.9%
- Mean hourly wage: $11.87
- Mean annual wage: $24,680
National percentile hourly wage estimates for sewing machine operators throughout the U.S.:
- 10 Percentile: $8.68
- 25 Percentile: $9.30
- 50 Percentile (Median): $10.84
- 75 Percentile: $13.75
- 90 Percentile: $17.13
National percentile annual wage estimates for sewing machine operators throughout the U.S.:
- 10 Percentile: $18,060
- 25 Percentile: $19,350
- 50 Percentile (Median): $22,550
- 75 Percentile: $28,590
- 90 Percentile: $35,630
HFC alumni Jaclyn Hatch and Maria Dorsey are ISCP graduates. Upon graduating, Hatch got a job at Irvin Automotive Products, Inc. in Pontiac, while Dorsey got a job at Better Life Bags in Hamtramck.
“You learn all the terminology and you learn all the techniques as you go. You’re actually learning on industrial, high-powered sewing machines. You make handbags, purses with linings on the inside and pockets on the outside. We learn how to make car seats. All you really need to do is be patient with yourself and just follow the directions – you’ll get to where you need to go,” said Dorsey.
“This class has been a stepping stone for me. I want to re-upholster my own car. I bet I could if I wanted to,” said Hatch, laughing. “It’s a skill you can bring into your own life and go out there and make money with it.”
Karen Buscemi, president of Detroit Sewn and president/founder of the Detroit Garment Group, currently employs four HFC ISCP alumni.
“They all had some home sewing experience, but none had ever sewn on industrial machinery, or were familiar with the various sewing techniques used in production sewing. The training they received in the ISCP provided them the necessary knowledge and hands-on experience required to step right into their jobs at Detroit Sewn with very minimal guidance from my production manager,” said Buscemi.
HFC ISCP coordinator Jan Artushin reiterated the need for industrial sewing in Southeast Michigan. “This program gives students the opportunity to learn new skills and make a new life for themselves”. she said. “Employers want people who know how to sew. Some students don’t want to leave when class is over because they’re so engaged in their projects; they’re so passionate about them, which is good to see. Overall, it’s a good experience and students go on to rewarding careers.”
HFC Workforce and Professional Development is currently accepting applications for its Industrial Sewing Certificate Program for the Fall 2017 and Winter 2018 semesters.
Kurt Anthony Krug
