Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), a non-profit Manufacturing USA Institute driving fiber and fabric-based innovation in the US has announced a strategic partnership with Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA), leveraging ATA’s signature Talking Textiles podcast. This partnership will produce a special series of insightful episodes focused on addressing the industry’s most pressing workforce challenges, hosted by AFFOA’s Director of Education and Workforce, Robert Finnegan. Finnegan will anchor discussions based on many of the findings uncovered in AFFOA’s industry needs assessment and resulting program roadmap launched in the fall of 2024.
“It became clear that many industry leaders were hungry to hear from and share best practices in recruiting, retaining, and skilling up a workforce to meet the demands of this changing industry,” states Finnegan. “ATA was a perfect partner to launch a forum for industry-best practices focused on workforce topics.”
This week marks the launch of the series with Part One, bringing together industry leaders across the US to focus on workforce retention. Each episode aims to provide industry leaders and professionals with actionable strategies, emerging trends, and innovative solutions to build a resilient and skilled workforce.
“Advanced Textiles Association is thrilled to be partnering with AFFOA on this new podcast series. Workforce development is one of the top challenges facing the textile industry, and we’re excited to work together to deliver this crucial information,” said Jonathan W. Sweet, Director of Content & Member Programs at ATA.
The special series podcast is comprised of three episodes, each focusing on a key topic affecting the industry.
Part One: Strategies for Retaining Employees in a Changing Workforce (available now)
This episode features a dynamic discussion with industry leaders on best practices for recruitment, employee retention, and fostering a positive organizational culture. Guests include:
- Rachal McCarthy, President of NTI Global
- Nichole Hoylrod, COO of Spiritus Systems
- Bill Ackerley, Manager at Beares USA
- Michael Woody, CEO of Trans Tex
Topics covered include work-life balance, onboarding practices, engaging younger staff, and fostering a strong company culture. Robert Finnegan moderates the conversation, offering insights into navigating workforce challenges in a rapidly evolving industry.
Part Two: Beyond the Buzz — The Impacts of Digital Engineering and Automation on Our Current and Future Workforce
In this episode, Robert Finnegan hosts a discussion with leading technologists and industry experts to explore how digital engineering and automation are reshaping manufacturing and the workforce. Guests include:
- Caitlin Knowles, AFFOA
- Gabrielle Ferrara, President of Ferrara Manufacturing
- Jon Zornow, Inventor of Sewbo
- Christine Spiegel, Director of Marketing at Parkdale Mills
Listeners will learn about current technological advancements, future trends, and their implications for workforce development and skills training.
Part Three: Our Future Workforce — Leveraging Career Pathways and High Schools to Drive Talent Pipelines
The final episode focuses on how companies can leverage traditional and Career and Technical Education (CTE) and develop a talent pipeline for next-generation employees. “Industry leaders unanimously cited an aging workforce with lagging interest from younger generation workers. We must begin leveraging our CTE and Trade HS more effectively to help fill this gap,” states Robert Finnegan.
Episodes can be streamed on major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and directly through AFFOA and ATA’s websites, as well as https://textiles.org/podcast.
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About AFFOA:
AFFOA is a non-profit, public-private partnership headquartered in Cambridge, MA and one of 18 Manufacturing USA Innovation Institutes. AFFOA’s mission is to rekindle the domestic textiles industry by leading a nationwide enterprise for advanced fiber and fabric technology development and manufacturing, enabling revolutionary system capabilities for national security and commercial markets. Learn more at affoa.org.
About Advanced Textiles Association:
Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA) is a member-owned, member-driven trade association representing the specialty fabrics and technical textiles industry since 1912. ATA provides members with relevant information, sourcing solutions and networking opportunities to sustain and grow their business. For more information visit Textiles.org.