Workforce Development Program
PA Fibershed’s Workforce Development Program seeks to revitalize Pennsylvania’s textile economy by supporting and strengthening the existing value chain while providing opportunities to individuals from diverse backgrounds. This initiative connects returning citizens, veterans, and high school and college-aged youth from underserved communities with apprenticeships across the textile industry—from fiber farming to manufacturing.
Through this program, PA Fibershed seeks to address economic and environmental challenges while fostering a thriving, locally rooted textile industry by:
Preserving and passing down critical generational knowledge within the textile industry.
Sustaining mills and manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania, helping to keep local industries alive.
Offering career opportunities to individuals without access to higher education, allowing them to develop and grow professionally.
Supporting economically disadvantaged regions by providing stable employment and pathways to financial independence.
Providing trade opportunities for youth seeking employment who face financial or personal barriers to pursuing a college degree.
Facilitating workforce reentry for veterans and returning citizens, offering meaningful career opportunities.
Ensuring living wages for all workers along the supply chain, promoting fairness and equity.
Strengthening Pennsylvania’s local economy through job creation and investment in local businesses.
Developing a scalable, accessible, and transparent supply chain that reduces reliance on international shipping and lowers the textile industry’s carbon footprint.
Creating market opportunities for Pennsylvania farmers to sell their fiber, contributing to a sustainable, local economy.
Reshoring the textile industry, promoting domestic production and job growth.
Encouraging collaboration between communities to build a more resilient and inclusive economy, with transparent working conditions and sustainable workforce practices.
If you are interested in supporting this program and/or getting involved, please reach out to Rachel@pafibershed.org