Getting the Jump on Tech With FBI, AIMS
A second group of students received certification in AIMS’ software programs from the Fashion Business Inc. as part of a free training program for apparel industry workers.
The 96-hour course was made possible by a $49,000 earmark grant from the California Department of Labor.
“The state recognizes that the apparel industry needs training—and retraining,” said Frances Harder, president and founder of FBI.
The program is a joint effort between several agencies. FBI applied for the Department of Labor grant, supplied the necessary grant paperwork and provided the venue. AIMS provided the education and support.
The city of Los Angeles–affiliated Community Career Development Inc. provided recruitment and screening services.
The eight-week course covered AIMS’ computerbased order-entry and data-management system tailored for apparel companies. The program tracks backoffice operations including cost sheets, bills of materials, order management and EDI. Each student was required to pass skills tests to receive a certificate.
Sixteen graduates of the course gathered on Oct. 10 at the FBI Resource Center in The New Mart to receive their certificates, drop off resumes and meet with classmates and instructors for the last time. Michelle Esperanza, a field deputy for Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D–34th District), was on hand to present the students with their certificates.
The class participants ranged in age and industry experience. There were several design school students and recent graduates, as well as experienced designers and production workers and two former Robinsons-May retail associates. The class also included people who had worked in other industries and were looking to make a career change.
Among the participants was designer Andrae Gonzalo, one of the contestants on the second season of “Project Runway.” Gonzalo, who had run his own clothing line and retail store before joining the cast of the fashion reality show, took the class to brush up on his computer skills and knowledge of the back-office operations.
“While I was a one-man band [producing a line and running a retail store], the industry had changed—a lot of it had gone overseas,” he said. “I wanted to prepare myself and find a way to reintegrate my self back into the industry.”
Among the attendees at the graduation ceremony was designer Eva Franco, who came at the request of AIMS co-founder Henry Cherner, to meet the students.
Although the grant only covered two courses, Harder said she is in the process of meeting with Los Angeles city officials to see about getting new funding for a similar program. —Alison A. Nieder
