New York Fashion Workforce Development Coalition
We aim to build an equitable and resilient fashion future for New York City.
About:
The New York Fashion Workforce Development Coalition (NYFWDC) is a multi-stakeholder working group bringing together individuals from the fashion industry, community, academia, non-profit sectors and government to find solutions to strengthen and grow New York’s fashion future via social justice, women's economic advancement and empowerment.
“62% of fashion retailers, brands, manufacturers and vendors face a shortage of workers with key, specialized skills.”
LABOR CRISIS
Fashion manufacturing is facing a crisis-level labor shortage as aging workers retire without a trained workforce to replace them.
Since 2001 fashion manufacturing jobs have declined over 60% in New York City, yet the fashion industry still makes up $9 billion in total wages and generates nearly $2 billion in tax revenue for the city.
NEXT GENERATION
The demand for workers with specialized production skills will only increase as more fashion brands move away from offshoring and look to bring production closer to consumers.
New models are needed to allow retiring workers to pass on knowledge to individuals eagerly looking for work.
