Apparel Jobs Education and Training

Obtain the proper knowledge and tools for apparel industry jobs

Apparel jobs include everything from apparel workers and manufacturers, apparel merchandisers, buying agents, fashion designers, retailers and dry cleaning services. Workers cut and sew the fabric based upon patterns crafted by fashion designers. Merchandisers market the clothing to buying agents, who inspect and qualify apparel for sale within the retailers they represent.

Whether you want to have skills in a broad range of difference fashion apparel jobs or specialize in one category, you must be well versed in the current trends and consumer necessities to maintain a thriving apparel career. The following resources will help you obtain helpful apparel jobs education and training:

1. A degree can be helpful for jobs in apparel.

2. Sign up for seminars and workshops that relate to careers in apparel.

3. Attend trade shows and conferences regarding jobs in the apparel industry.

 

Obtain a degree for an apparel job

Many jobs in apparel production, such as cutting, sewing and machine operation, are entry level and don't even require a high school diploma, though that can be helpful. While a degree isn't necessary for other apparel positions, like fashion design or apparel buyer assistant jobs, it can be helpful for jump starting your career.
Try: The School of Human Ecology at the University of Texas at Austin offers a Textiles and Apparel degree program. Examine Design-training's list of schools that offer fashion design degrees.

Participate in seminars and workshops regarding careers in apparel

Many organizations offer training seminars and workshops for the apparel industry that, while not a necessity to obtain a position in the industry, can be very helpful toward furthering your career.
Try: The Bureau of Labor Statistics explains the various apparel production jobs and the education and training requirements necessary to obtain them. [TC]2, formerly Tailored Clothing Technology, offers several apparel manufacturing education and training seminars.

Register for conferences and trade shows relevant to jobs in apparel

Conferences and trade shows relevant to the apparel industry will help you see what resources and techniques are available to assist in the success of apparel careers. They will discuss current trends, possibly provide design workshops and present equipment and software that can help in the design and production process.
Try: Attend one of the two annual Magic Marketplace trade shows for buyers and sellers in the fashion apparel industry. Visit Apparel Magazine’s Tech Conference West, which presents technology and exhibitors relevant to the West Coast apparel and retail industry.

 

• Apparel salaries vary depending upon what category of the industry you get a job in. The median salary for retail store managers is $41,627 annually, while a department store buyer is more than $63,000. Fashion designers average $56,400 annually and a manufacturing product manager earns about $59,000.

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