Sew Hope Sewing Apprenticeship Program
What is the Sew Hope Apprenticeship Program?
The Sew Hope Apprenticeship Program (SAP) equips individuals with the skills needed to pursue a career as a professional sewist. Whether you aim to work as a production sewist in a St. Louis-based company or start your own sewing business, SEP is designed to support you. We welcome individuals with or without prior sewing experience.
More about our Program
Over the course of the program, you will develop entrepreneurial skills, sewing production techniques, and management abilities. Our dedicated teaching staff provides hands-on instruction, helping you operate domestic, industrial, and embroidery machines. You will learn the fundamentals of sewing, cutting, measuring, and garment production. Upon completing your paid on-the-job training, you will be recognized as a Certified Industrial Sewing Machine Operator Apprentice by the Missouri Department of Labor.
Program Structure
The SAP spans approximately 20 months, including 8 months of classroom instruction at Sew Hope followed by a paid apprenticeship with a local employer. To earn certification from the United States Department of Labor, apprentices must complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and register within the Missouri Jobs system. The cost of the program is $5,000.00, scholarships may be available.
Coursework includes, but is not limited to:
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8 weeks of fundamental domestic and construction skills
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22 weeks of industrial production and operator skills
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Site visits to local employers and workrooms
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Resume and interview training
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Business plan development
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Mentorship with local entrepreneurs
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Training in marketing, sales, and revenue streams
Participant Requirements:
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Sew Hope and its Employer Partners follow non-discriminatory and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies in recruiting and selecting apprentices.
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Every person requesting an application will have one made available.
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Applicants must provide supporting documents (e.g., US driver’s license, birth certificate, or other acceptable proof of age; social security card) to prove work eligibility in the United States.
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Eligible starting age is 16 years.
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Must be able to perform essential functions with/without reasonable accommodations and without posing a direct threat to health and safety.
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Basic understanding of the English language is required.
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No prior sewing experience is needed, but a willingness to learn is essential.
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Participants must complete 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training with a local apprenticeship employer partner.
The Sew Hope Entrepreneurship Program offers a comprehensive pathway for aspiring sewists, combining practical training with entrepreneurial guidance to foster successful careers in the sewing industry.