As a result of a recent grant from Microsoft Corporation, the educational non-profit organization Fashion Business Inc has launched a free job skills training program targeting unemployed apparel workers. The Microsoft/ Fashion Business Inc. Job Skills Training Program is specifically designed to help unemployed job seekers update their industry related computer skills and increase their chances of securing full time employment.
The program, designed by apparel industry experts, uses real world exercises to demonstrate how Microsoft products and other software systems are most effectively used in the world of corporate apparel.
The 8 week training curriculum includes: Microsoft Office for the Apparel Industry, Tech Packs Using Microsoft Excel 2007 and Accounting for the Apparel Industry Using Quickbooks. Additionally, participants will become certified in Computer Aided Apparel Management Principles using Apparel Information Management Systems, also known as AIMS, a widely used industry software.
Classroom participants range from recent fashion school graduates unable to find full time employment to business owners who have had to close shop due to the recent economic downturn. Other attendees are industry veterans whose positions were recently eliminated, which prompted them to update their skills to become more competitive job candidates.
"With Microsoft's support we are able to help displaced workers take advantage of these slow and challenging times, helping them to come out stronger on the other side," says FBI Executive Director Frances Harder. "People are excited about being able to re-group and strengthen their skills without any additional expense."
The program, designed by apparel industry experts, uses real world exercises to demonstrate how Microsoft products and other software systems are most effectively used in the world of corporate apparel.
The 8 week training curriculum includes: Microsoft Office for the Apparel Industry, Tech Packs Using Microsoft Excel 2007 and Accounting for the Apparel Industry Using Quickbooks. Additionally, participants will become certified in Computer Aided Apparel Management Principles using Apparel Information Management Systems, also known as AIMS, a widely used industry software.
Classroom participants range from recent fashion school graduates unable to find full time employment to business owners who have had to close shop due to the recent economic downturn. Other attendees are industry veterans whose positions were recently eliminated, which prompted them to update their skills to become more competitive job candidates.
"With Microsoft's support we are able to help displaced workers take advantage of these slow and challenging times, helping them to come out stronger on the other side," says FBI Executive Director Frances Harder. "People are excited about being able to re-group and strengthen their skills without any additional expense."
