Overview
The Durfee High School Fashion Design & Advanced Textile Manufacturing Workforce Pipeline Program is a hands-on, career-connected learning experience preparing students for the future of fashion and textile manufacturing. Our goal is to equip students with the technical, creative, and professional skills needed to thrive in modern fashion and textile careers. Specially in this pilot, we endeavored to create a workforce pipeline between Durfee High School and employers in the community who are committed to recruitment and retention.
The objective is for students to gain work-based learning experience, a technical certification or credential and a job offer PRIOR to graduation.
Key Features:
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Industry-Aligned Curriculum focused on design, sewing, textile science, and production
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Employer Partnerships with leading local manufacturers: Matouk, Accurate Services, Vanson Leathers, Merrow Manufacturing, and Merida
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Real-World Learning through site visits, mentorship, and internship opportunities
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Skills Development in design thinking, garment construction, and sustainable practices
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Pathways to Careers in fashion, product development, and advanced manufacturing
Bridging Education & Industry: Fall River’s Collaborative Workforce Pilot
Witness how a dedicated group of partners is pioneering a dynamic partnership between Fall River’s historic textile industry and Durfee High School. This compelling video showcases how educators, students, and local textile leaders come together to build real-world pathways, fostering the next generation of skilled talent. Dive into the story of how community, innovation, and collaboration power Fall River’s workforce of tomorrow.
🎧 Our Future Workforce Podcast: Leveraging Career Pathways and High Schools to Drive Talent Pipelines
Viva Fall River was proud to be featured in part three of the Our Future Workforce podcast series, hosted by Robert Finnegan, Director of Education and Workforce Development at AFFOA. This episode explores how traditional Career and Technical Education (CTE) can be a powerful driver in building the next generation of employees—especially in communities with deep roots in textiles like Fall River.
The conversation highlights how schools, industry, and community partners work together to create strong pathways in fashion, design, and technology. Our Executive Director, Patti Rego, joined Judi Vigna, CEO of Specialized Career Guidance, to share how Viva Fall River plays a role in connecting students, employers, and creative industries to ensure the city’s legacy of innovation continues into the future.
Employer Partners
The Durfee High School Fashion Design & Advanced Textile Manufacturing Career Pathway Pilot Program is supported by a dedicated group of employer partners who bring real-world industry expertise and mentorship to students. These partners include Matouk, a leader in luxury linens; Accurate Services, a full-service textile and fashion production company; Vanson Leathers, known for its handcrafted motorcycle apparel; and Merrow Manufacturing, a globally recognized apparel manufacturer specializing in performance and technical sewing solutions. Together, these organizations provide invaluable support through site visits, internships, curriculum input, and exposure to industry-standard tools and processes—ensuring that students gain the skills and experiences needed for success in today’s evolving fashion and textile industries.
About Specialized Career Guidance
The Workforce Pipeline Program is built upon the proprietary framework developed by Specialized Career Guidance, a leader in innovative workforce pipeline program development. Specialized Career Guidance leverages its expertise to design and implement forward-thinking solutions that bridge education and industry needs.
Through strategic collaboration with schools, [the State of Massachusetts, and other key partners, Specialized Career Guidance works to provide programs that deliver impactful, sustainable workforce development opportunities. While these partnerships enhance the program’s reach and success, all curriculum, materials, and related content remain the exclusive intellectual property of Specialized Career Guidance and are used solely with permission. Unauthorized reproduction, modification, or distribution of program content is strictly prohibited.
For more information about the Workforce Pipeline Program or to inquire about permissions, click below.
Program Partners
