Textile Insight

textileinsight.com Summer 2024 ~ Textile Insight • 33 T he U.S. textile industry is ready to make a comeback, as it moves towards an exciting future driven by advancements in new technologies and demands for sustain- ability. Aer years of decline and struggles, the road back will not be easy, and comes at a time when many textile suppliers and manufactur- ers say it's difficult to find experienced staff, and attract workers for entry level positions. However, a committed network of associations and industry leaders is coming together to meet the challenge. e FabricLink Network is ready to help with the launch of eTextileGateway.org, which will connect the textile industry to students from elementary schools to universities. e central theme of the website is an outreach program to find and inspire the next generation of leaders, innovators, and the workforce needed. Tom Swantko, director of the Gateway pro- gram, explains, "e mission of e Textile Gateway is to educate and encourage students at all levels; outreach and promote the many career paths within the industry; and, serve as a catalyst for future innovation." Swantko says students need to hear and get excited about new textile advances, that even a few years ago were not envisioned. e mis- conception that careers in textiles are limited to fashion design also needs to be addressed. Sustainability, smart textiles, bio-based/bio-in- spired textiles and future applications for AI are also expanding opportunities for scientists, engineers, and idea-makers, who never thought of being involved with textiles. Past Decline of the Domestic Industry According to the U.S, Bureau of Labor (USBL), between 1979 and 2019, employment in the domestic textile/apparel industries declined by over 80 percent. e decline started with the enforcement of safety, health and pollution standards, was accelerated aer passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994; granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) to China in 2000; and, China's admission into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001. According to the USBL, by 2019 over 1.3 million jobs were lost in the U.S. textile/apparel industries. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the supply chain, as the domestic industry continued to be hurt by predatory trade practices; undervaluation of imported goods; and unenforced labor abuses. Re-Building and Re-Energizing A network for rebuilding and re-energizing the US textile industry has begun. e National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) is working with industry leaders to get the U.S. government to enforce regulations; stop illegal trade practices; and decouple textile trade with China. Textile Associations are actively involved in workforce education programs, skills training, apprenticeship programs, and awarding scholarships to find and keep skilled employees. "e Textile Gateway is an important part of this growing network," Swantko explains. "e Gateway's outreach program is vitally needed to help bring new workers into the industry. Students in elementary and high schools aren't thinking about careers in textiles, in part because they're not being taught." Family & Consumer Science (FACS) pro- grams and Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum for middle and high schools oen lack resources for textiles and little is done to cover careers in the industry. Swantko adds, "We've met with administrators involved with FACS/CTE programs, who are excited to hear about what we are doing and want to know how they can help. ere is a real opportunity to promote the textile industry through schools." e Gateway provides teachers and students with a broad range of resources, including videos for education and skill development. ere is a platform for teachers to interact, share lesson plans and ideas, and for the industry to visit schools or connect online. e Gateway also includes a platform that encourages the industry to connect directly with students to educate, mentor, and enrich academic studies with practical insights and real-world experiences. Industry professionals can share their knowledge and visions through videos, personal visits to schools, webinars, panel discussions, technical talks, podcasts, interviews, and tours of textile facilities, to inspire tomorrow's designers, product devel- opers, and decision makers. n For more information on e Textile Gateway and to find out how you can help, contact Tom Swantko at director@thetextilegateway.com. e Textile Gateway website is eTextileGateway.org. INTRODUCING THE TEXTILEGATEWAY.ORG RE-ENERGIZING THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY FOR THE FUTURE LEARN MORE AND HOW YOU CAN HELP From TheTextileGateway.org website, this page features educational videos and book reviews for K-12 students.

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