{"id":52354,"date":"2023-08-15T15:04:53","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T19:04:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/?p=52354"},"modified":"2023-08-16T08:58:04","modified_gmt":"2023-08-16T12:58:04","slug":"nc-state-wilson-college-of-textiles-to-create-first-of-its-kind-textile-training-and-education-program-in-honduras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/2023\/08\/nc-state-wilson-college-of-textiles-to-create-first-of-its-kind-textile-training-and-education-program-in-honduras\/","title":{"rendered":"NC State Wilson College of Textiles to Create First of Its Kind Textile Training and Education Program in Honduras"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

By Melissa Sharp<\/p>\n\n\n\n

North Carolina State University\u2019s Wilson College of Textiles<\/a> has been awarded a $2M, two year grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop a technical textile training program, titled Hilando Oportunidades (Spinning Opportunities) in northern Honduras. USAID, through Hilando Oportunidades, is transforming the lives of Honduras\u2019 youth by providing skills and training for careers in the textile industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hilando Oportunidades forges a unique partnership between three North Carolina higher education institutions \u2013 Wilson College, Gaston College and Catawba Valley Community College \u2013 that are nationally recognized for their leadership in textiles innovation, research and education from the historic and current seat of the textile industry in North America, and the Universidad Tecnol\u00f3gica Centroamericana (UNITEC), a leader in providing technical and engineering education in Honduras. Education technology partner Shimmy, an industrial startup that provides training through mobile applications, brings an innovative training platform and a proven track record in delivering effective app-based training in challenging environments to the team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wilson College of Textiles Dean David Hinks says, \u201cThrough Hilando Oportunidades, Wilson College and our partners have the rare opportunity to transform the lives of thousands of Hondurans by providing pathways to better employment and brighter futures while simultaneously enabling a sustainable regional textile supply chain with key allies that also drives economic prosperity here in North Carolina.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, led by Melissa Sharp, associate director of Zeis Textiles Extension (ZTE) in Wilson College, will deliver training to at least 1,500 Hondurans in yarn spinning, knitting, dyeing and finishing, and apparel production. Sharp says a key aspect of the program is the development of trackable credentials that will empower workers in Honduras\u2019 textile industry and expand the routes to advancement. Credentials will be issued through Credly and maintained by NC State, providing third-party evidence of skills and training attained through Hilando Oportunidades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n