Progress 11/01/02 to 09/30/07
Outputs
The purpose of this project was to examine how the current state of employment in the North Carolina textile and apparel industries relates to opportunities available in post-secondary programs geared toward educating for these industries. One major goal of the study was to examine the effects of recent industry dynamics on employment trends. This was accomplished by secondary statistical data collection and analysis resulting in a database of establishments and employment numbers for the state of North Carolina. Another goal of the study was to determine the impact of the media on shaping public perception of the textile and apparel industries. This was accomplished by an interpretive analysis of more than 1000 articles from two major state newspapers serving the areas of highest industry employment in the state. The results of the investigation are to be published in a peer reviewed journal (stated below under Publications). Results illustrate how the media have
created a negative picture of the future of these industries in North Carolina. This information, combined with the analysis of employment and establishment data, provided a foundation for primary data collection to examine perceptions of these industries on the part of students seeking a four year degree. In-depth interviews were conducted with 41 students enrolled in textiles and apparel programs at two large universities in the piedmont region of the state. Two manuscripts reporting the results of these interviews are currently under review by peer reviewed journals.
Impacts
Despite being in a state of flux, the textile and apparel industries remain significant sources of employment within North Carolina. Currently, the North Carolina textile complex, by rough estimation, employs about 150,000 people in all manner of types of jobs, from blue- to white-collar and still represents about 18% of the state's total manufacturing jobs. An investigation of the numbers of layoffs and types of jobs still available helped to determine the prospects for the industry, as well as identify needs that four year postsecondary programs can fill. Findings have also indicated awareness on the part of textiles and apparel students of the possible need to move out of the state of North Carolina in order to secure industry-related employment upon graduation. Most, however, were confident that they would have the opportunity to find industry employment within the state and many indicated a high level of entrepreneurial interest, expressing the intent to
ultimately start their own businesses within North Carolina.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
The purpose of this project is to examine how the current state of employment in the textile and apparel industries relates to opportunities available in post-secondary programs geared toward educating for these industries. During 2005-06, progress included: (a) continued secondary statistical data collection and analysis regarding employment within textiles and apparel, (b) continued investigation into media reports of changes within the industry and particularly those reports related to employment, (c) in-depth interviews conducted with females laid off from textile and apparel employment within North Carolina and currently pursuing retraining opportunities. A manuscript consisting of an analysis of employment patterns in the state (letter a above) was published in the Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management. A manuscript is in second review stage for the Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, which presents findings of the employment numbers (letter a above)
and media report analysis (letter b above) thus far.
Impacts
Secondary data analysis conducted this year was done in an attempt to maintain an up-to-date database of figures regarding employment within the North Carolina textile and apparel industries. Changes in employment patterns reflect a continuation of similar changes seen through 2005 and include the continued loss of manufacturing to locations in Asia and an increase in out-sourcing practices. Given the trends observed thus far, it is expected that this downturn will continue into the near future. Initial analysis of the qualitative interviews conducted with females living in North Carolina laid off from jobs within the textile and apparel industries and currently pursuing retraining at NC institutions indicates both opportunities and challenges with regard to retraining. Qualitative interviews with students at two public universities in Greensboro are currently being analyzed. Findings thus far indicate awareness on the part of the students of the potential need to
move out of the state of North Carolina in order to secure employment. Most, however, were confident that they would have the opportunity to find industry employment within the state and many indicated a high level of entrepreneurial interest, expressing the intent to ultimately start their own businesses within North Carolina.
Publications
- NELSON HODGES, N., and KARPOVA, E. (2006). Employment in the U.S. Textile and Apparel Industries: A Comparative Analysis of Regional vs. National Trends. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 10(2), 209-226.
|
Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
The purpose of this project is to examine how the current state of employment in the textile and apparel industries relates to opportunities available in post-secondary programs geared toward educating for these industries. During 2004-05, progress included: (a) continued secondary statistical data collection and analysis regarding employment within textiles and apparel, (b) continued investigation into media reports of changes within the industry and particularly those reports related to employment, (c) in-depth interviews conducted with students enrolled in apparel and textile majors at two large public universities located in Greensboro, and (d) in-depth interviews conducted with female graduates of textile and apparel programs working in the North Carolina textile and apparel industries. A manuscript consisting of an analysis of employment patterns in the state (letter a above) has been accepted with minor revisions by the Journal of Fashion Marketing and
Management. A presentation on the findings of the media report analysis (letter b above) was given at the International Textile and Apparel Association meeting in November of 2004, and a manuscript on the same topic is currently under review for the Clothing and Textiles Research Journal.
Impacts
Secondary data analysis conducted this year was done in an attempt to maintain an up-to-date database of figures regarding employment within the North Carolina textile and apparel industries. Changes in employment patterns reflect a continuation of similar changes seen through 2004 and include the continued movement of manufacturing to locations in Asia and an increase in out-sourcing practices. Given the trends observed thus far, it is expected that this downturn will continue into the near future. Whether or not the lifting of quota restrictions in January of 2005 has had an impact on employment patterns is still under investigation. Qualitative interviews were conducted with students at two public universities in Greensboro. Both groups of students exhibited a positive outlook with regard to employment opportunities post-graduation. A degree of awareness regarding changes in the industries and subsequent impact on employment was found among both groups. Although
some acknowledged the potential need to move out of the state of North Carolina in order to secure employment, most were confident that they would have the opportunity to find industry employment within the state. Many also indicated a high level of entrepreneurial interest, expressing the intent to ultimately start their own businesses within North Carolina. Interviews with female graduates currently working in the industry reflected a similarly positive perception of the future of employment opportunities within North Carolina.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
The purpose of this project is to examine how the current state of employment in the textile and apparel industries relates to opportunities available in post-secondary programs geared toward educating for these industries. During 2003-04, progress included: (a) continued secondary statistical data collection and analysis regarding employment within textiles and apparel, (b) continued investigation into media reports of changes within the industry and particularly those reports related to employment, and (c) in-depth interviews conducted with students enrolled in apparel and textile majors within higher education.
Impacts
Secondary data analysis conducted this year was done in an attempt to maintain an up-to-date database of figures regarding employment within the North Carolina textile and apparel industries. Changes in employment patterns reflect a continuation of similar changes seen through 2003 and include the continued movement of manufacturing to locations in Asia and the Caribbean basin. Several large corporations involved in the manufacturing of textiles closed this year, resulting in mass layoffs and unemployment throughout the Piedmont region. Given the trends observed thus far, it is expected that this downturn will continue and perhaps become worse when quota restrictions are lifted in January of 2005. Through an interpretive study of over 1000 media reports found in three major newspapers within North Carolina, it was found that the media presents a very negative picture of these industries and predicts an uncertain, as well as troubling future ahead. In contrast, through
qualitative interviews with students in textile and apparel majors, it was found that they continued to seek a college degree in this area, in spite of the negative image of these industries as portrayed by the media. Student perception of these industries was found to be far more positive, in that they all expressed the belief that they will find employment upon graduation. For many, this belief was coupled with an intention to remain in North Carolina after graduation, indicating that the media may not be a strong factor in influencing students choice to pursue a degree in this major.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
The purpose of this project is to examine how the current state of employment in the textile and apparel industries relates to opportunities available in post-secondary programs geared toward educating for these industries. During 2003, secondary statistical data were collected, organized, and analyzed. A review of the recent changes within these industries in North Carolina led to an understanding of the challenges currently being faced and the subsequent impact such challenges have on the future of these industries within the state. Also, an examination of media and trade journal reports on the industries was conducted in order to explore trends over the past 5 years. Secondary statistics also were collected and analyzed regarding employment patterns within the industries in North Carolina to determine the related effects of these trends on patterns of employment and unemployment. A county-by-county analysis of employment patterns was completed, indicating that many
NC counties have faced significant job losses in these industries over the past 5 years.
Impacts
The textiles and apparel industries in North Carolina are currently dealing with difficult financial challenges and an uncertain future. The media in particular paints a predominantly negative picture of the status of the industries, including dwindling employment prospects. An investigation of the numbers of layoffs and types of jobs still available will help to determine the prospects for the industry and identify needs that 4 year postsecondary programs can fill.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
|