FIT has partnered with Nordstrom to launch the Custom Alterations and Tailoring Techniques certificate course through FIT’s Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (CCPS), and the first cohort of students received their certificates at an event at FIT on February 11. Already, two of the students have landed jobs with Nordstrom as a direct result of the tailoring course.
The course was taught in-person at FIT and involved hands-on training. The course was taught by Broadway costume builder and FIT professor Michael Harrell with a curriculum co-created by Nordstrom and FIT. The Custom Alterations and Tailoring Techniques certificate covers essential techniques in garment alterations and fitting, including but not limited to, foundational hand-sewing skills, advanced custom alterations using specialized sewing machinery, men’s and women’s alterations, and fabric and garment construction.
Upon completion of the curriculum, students are eligible to apply for positions within Nordstrom Alterations, the largest employer of tailors in North America, employing approximately 1,500 alterations specialists. Individuals who complete this certificate program have advanced knowledge of the hiring assessment process, significantly increasing their chances of meeting Nordstrom’s skill requirements.
“The focus for CCPS is really supporting adult, nontraditional learners. What’s wonderful about that is acknowledging—especially in the creative industries—not everyone has an opportunity to pursue their first loves, and what we find quite often is it’s along the way,” said Jacqueline Jenkins, executive director, CCPS, during the event.
“What we wanted to teach was the art of sewing, but also specifically the Nordstrom way of doing that,” said Marco Esquivel, director of Alterations and After-Care Services at Nordstrom. He also spoke of the equal importance of teaching “how we serve customers and how we help them look their best, which is what we do day in and day out.”
Esquivel also addressed financial eligibility for the program. “We also wanted to find ways to remove any potential access issues or barriers which might prevent people from being able to participate in a program like this, so we were really happy to partner with scholarships.”
Jenny Robbins, the first person in the class to land a job at Nordstrom, said, “At the end I knew that I’d gotten enough new skills that I probably could be someone who could contribute to a Nordstrom team if given the opportunity: I start my new job on Tuesday. Huge thanks to Nordstrom and FIT for investing in the future of our tailors and ensuring that this craft does become a lost art. I’m proud to have participated in this program and I look forward to my first day at work.”