Cohort 3 visits WDI Works and hears from trainee from cohort 1 who is now employed there

Baltimore Sewn Trades Training Program (BSTTP)

On Friday July 7, the third trainee cohort of the Baltimore Sewn Trades Training Program (BSTTP) graduated in a ceremony at Open Works.  The newest class of 6 graduates will join 15 other program alumni as they infuse new skill and talent into Baltimore’s sewn trades sector. 

Made In Baltimore is proudly collaborating with Open Works and SewLab USA on the program, an innovative initiative aimed at equipping Baltimore residents with the necessary skills for jobs in the sewn trades.

After a successful pilot in 2017, our partnership secured funding through the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development’s (MOED) Train Up program. With this support, we have trained 21 Baltimore residents in industrial sewing techniques, with a fourth cohort of 8 trainees planned for Fall 2023. 

Made In Baltimore’s role in this program is to engage sewn trades employers with the trainees, exposing them to factory-floor settings, and forging the connections that lead to employment. We organize site visits for trainees and invite employers to speak during class hours at Open Works. Our ultimate goal is to foster connections that will lead to job placements for trainees upon graduation.

In May and June of 2023, the third trainee cohort had the opportunity to participate in three tours organized by MIB. We visited nine different businesses throughout  Baltimore, representing various sectors of the sewn trades, including apparel, upholstery, and even dog beds! These tours allowed our trainees to meet industry leaders in Baltimore, learn about their entrepreneurial journeys, and observe diverse business models within the sector. They also saw successful alumni of the program at their new job placements.

Explore the gallery below to see pictures from the tours and discover more about the businesses that contribute to the thriving sewn trades industry in Baltimore City!

The next cohort begins this winter! Interested? Click here to apply.