“Retail is the nation’s largest private‑sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to the U.S. economy and supporting more than one in four American jobs,” explains Adam Lukoskie, National Retail Federation (NRF) Foundation Executive Director and NRF Senior Vice President. The skilled trades, which are engines of the retail industry, are facing a serious talent shortage with retirements outpacing new entrants. The loss of experience and expertise that has taken decades to build has created a dearth in the industry of skilled trade workers. U.S. manufacturing is expected to have 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030 due to key challenges faced, including sourcing, training, and retaining talent. McKinsey shows manufacturers are filling only six out of every ten open positions, leaving a 40% vacancy rate across the industry.
A Skills Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight
Skilled trades professionals are woven into every layer of retail operations from the electricians and carpenters who build and maintain store environments to the pattern makers and tailors who protect product quality, reduce costly returns, and elevate the customer experience. Without a reliable pipeline of these workers, retailers face delayed store openings, supply chain breakdowns, and a widening gap between what customers expect and what the industry can deliver.
A growing coalition of retailers, brands, academic institutions, and trade organizations are stepping up to help resolve this problem by working collaboratively on training, upskilling, and creating certification programs to provide the necessary skills for the future workforce. Nordstrom, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Carhartt, BRUNT, and the NRF Foundation are choosing not to wait for the pipeline to fix itself.
From Nordstrom’s fully funded tailoring certificate program at the Fashion Institute of Technology to Carhartt’s nearly $3.5 million in workforce grants since 2022, these companies are rewriting what it means for a retailer to invest in talent. Their approaches differ in scope and sector, but share a common goal in investing in the next generation of trades professionals.
Nordstrom and Fashion Institute of Technology Partner to Support Tailoring Trade
Nordstrom and Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) have launched the Custom Alterations and Tailoring Techniques certificate course through FIT’s Center for Continuing and Professional Studies. “Launching a tailoring certificate program aligns with FIT’s institutional mission, which was founded in 1944 to strengthen talent in the creative industries. By partnering with dynamic brands like Nordstrom on specialized initiatives, such as strengthening talent in the field of tailoring, FIT continues its mission of developing exceptional talent to meet the evolving needs of the creative industries,” explained Jacqueline Jenkins, executive director of the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies at FIT.
The nine-week, hands-on program, taught on-site at FIT by Broadway costume builder and FIT faculty member Michael Harrell, targets adult learners and early-career professionals. Nordstrom’s partnership with FIT stems from a recognition that the tailoring talent pipeline was thinning. “Nordstrom saw recruiting qualified specialists becoming increasingly difficult and chose to get ahead of the problem rather than react to it,” said Marco Esquivel, director of alterations and after-care services at Nordstrom. Rather than simply posting job listings, they invested in building the talent themselves. “The decision to partner specifically with FIT was driven by the institution’s reputation for hands-on, industry-driven education,” said Esquivel.
FIT’s close industry connections and focus on the consumer markets give the college a unique perspective that bridges academia, industry, and shifting consumer behavior. “The fashion industry is experiencing a shortage of highly skilled technical professionals, particularly in tailoring and alterations. As consumer expectations around fit and customization increase, the gap becomes more pronounced,” said Jenkins.
Industry And Academic Collaboration
Nordstrom and FIT co-created the curriculum together with direct input from Nordstrom’s existing alterations specialists, whose real-world floor experience shaped what skills actually matter in a retail tailoring environment. “That insider knowledge ensured the program wasn’t academic in isolation, but practically aligned to Nordstrom’s hiring standards from day one,” said Esquivel.
“A cornerstone of the partnership is Nordstrom’s commitment to covering tuition and supply costs entirely, a deliberate move to eliminate financial barriers and signal that skilled trades careers are a serious, accessible professional pathway,” explains Esquivel. By covering tuition and supplies, Nordstrom is making tailoring training accessible for anyone interested in the program, and it helps build a strong pipeline of skilled talent.
“Industry and academic collaboration is clearly a transferable structure: identify a workforce need, remove financial barriers, deliver rigorous training, and create a direct employment pathway. There are similar needs in pattern-making, sustainability, textile technology, and advanced production methods. This program demonstrates that when industry invests meaningfully, and academic institutions respond strategically, we can address skills gaps efficiently and equitably,” said Jenkins.
Beyond staffing, Nordstrom frames the partnership with FIT as a broader cultural statement, positioning workforce development as a core business strategy, not a short-term fix. “The initiative reflects a belief that retail companies have a responsibility to invest in skills development, preserve dying crafts, and create structured entry points for new talent,” said Esquivel.
FIT alumni include such icons as Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Laverne Cox, Stephen Burrows, and the founder of Amsale Bridal. “FIT’s strength lies in our proximity to industry and our longstanding relationships with employers. We understand both the craft and the market realities. Partnerships like this allow us to align training directly with workforce needs while maintaining high standards of craftsmanship,” expressed Jenkins.
The Nordstrom and FIT collaboration helps to upskill workers from a diverse variety of backgrounds. “As a State University of New York (SUNY) college, FIT has always served a broad population, including adult learners, career changers, and working professionals. Many of our students are balancing jobs, families, and financial responsibilities while pursuing advancement,” said Jenkins.
A Recent Graduate Reveals Why It Matters
“They put us all on equal footing. Every student received the sewing supplies and tailoring tools they needed, so no one was at a disadvantage,” said Jenny Robbins, a recent graduate of the Nordstrom and FIT certificate program who loved to do tailoring and alterations on the side. With an impressive background as a technical designer, pattern maker for renowned fashion designer Anna Sui, and experience training teams on Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software, Jenny had the credentials, but not the right ones on paper. Breaking into tailoring proved surprisingly difficult. “Side work isn’t something you can really show on a resume. They see a tech designer and pattern maker doing PLM training and think, ‘Why would you be a tailor?’ It was just difficult to convince people to give you a chance,” explained Robbins. When reflecting on the experience, Robbins said, “This program gave me the opportunity to build the right skills and connected us to Nordstrom in such a close way that you knew you were getting genuine mentorship, and they were just as excited about it as we were.” She started her new job with Nordstrom the week after completing the certification.
Carhartt’s $375,000 Bet on the Next Generation
Carhartt recently announced a $375,000 grant to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) through its ‘For the Love of Labor’ program, funding accredited Career and Technical Education programs at 15 high schools nationwide to help students enter the skilled trades, which is part of a broader effort to address a growing workforce shortage (there are over 650,000 construction and manufacturing jobs currently unfilled across the U.S.). “The ‘For the Love of Labor’ grant was born from the realization that addressing the challenges facing America’s skilled trades workforce required more than supplying durable gear. The grant program was designed to invest in training, remove barriers, and support the next generation of tradespeople, ultimately strengthening communities for the long term,” stated Linda Hubbard, Carhartt president and CEO.
Carhartt’s founding story traces back to Hamilton Carhartt literally sitting down with railroad workers in 1889 to understand their needs, and that philosophy still holds true today. The company has positioned itself as a long-term partner in the growth and success of women entering the trades. “We have a longstanding commitment to the hardworking women who depend on our workwear, and we are continuously innovating and expanding women’s product lines to evolve alongside the workforce. Our design process is centered on women’s needs on the jobsite, taking direct feedback from women in the field to shape decisions around fabric, fit, and functionality,” explained Hubbard. The number of female apprentices more than doubled since 2014. “Actively supporting the growing number of women entering the trades is essential to closing the skilled trades gap and is a critical focus for us at Carhartt,” said Hubbard.
While Carhartt is a retailer known for its durable, high-quality workwear, outdoor apparel, and gear, the company’s values extend beyond the product it sells to support organizations that build the next generation of workers. “Carhartt has a unique platform and responsibility to address the skilled trades gap and help strengthen the pipeline for future tradespeople. For 135 years, Carhartt has existed to support hardworking people, and we’re committed to highlighting the paths to meaningful careers in the skilled trades for the next generation of workers. Raising awareness and connecting hardworking people to these vital careers is as important as building the gear they rely on,” explained Hubbard.
Since the ‘For the Love of Labor’ inception in 2022, Carhartt has awarded 27 grants, totaling nearly $3.5 million. “Shining a spotlight on the skilled trades remains a priority. These are essential careers that offer family-sustaining wages, flexibility in scheduling, career longevity, and meaningful, tangible work. Through programs like our ‘For the Love of Labor’ grant, we continue to partner and invest with organizations that provide technical education, remove barriers, and give students the chance to pursue these fulfilling careers,” said Hubbard.
BRUNT’s 100,000-Boot Pledge
Eric Girouard, Founder and CEO of BRUNT Workwear, built the brand from a deeply personal place, having grown up in a blue-collar household and spending his summers roofing and landscaping alongside friends who went on to careers in the trades. That lived experience drives BRUNT’s worker-first philosophy: involving real tradespeople in product testing and naming products after the workers who inspired them. “Nobody works harder, or is more essential, than the men and women who lace up their boots every morning to go out and build this country and keep the engine running. They deserve a modern brand that puts them first and listens to what they want. We started with a worker-first approach, and we’re committed to it,” said Girouard.
Beyond building premium workwear, BRUNT is investing in the next generation of the workforce. “Gen Z is turning to the trades for better job prospects, and trade school enrollment is up 20% since 2020,” explains Girouard, who sees an opportunity to equip rising tradespeople with the tools they need from day one. In addition to supplying the trade professionals with high-quality workwear, the company is investing in communities to support local trade schools. “BRUNT has pledged to donate 100,000 pairs of boots to trade schools by 2030. Last year, we donated over 16,000 pairs of boots to trade students across the country,” explained Girourard.
The NRF’s Industry-Wide Blueprint
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association, serving as the unified voice for every retailer and retail job for over a century. Its membership spans the full retail ecosystem from retailers to the wholesale vendors and technology providers. The NRF Foundation actively supports trade professionals by addressing one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: a strained pipeline of skilled workers.
“A strong, skilled workforce is essential to the health of the overall industry,” said Lukoskie. Recognizing that roles like electricians, truck drivers, and HVAC technicians are among the hardest positions for retailers to fill, the Foundation has made skilled trades a central focus of its RISE Up training and credentialing program. “RISE Up not only contextualizes the value of skilled trades in retail but also provides translatable soft‑skills training in areas like customer service and sales, which are critical for success in any business environment,” stated Lukoskie.
By partnering with more than 3,700 industry partners and connecting with over 80,000 learners annually, the NRF Foundation works to ensure that individuals earning trade certifications see retail as a compelling, long-term career destination, ultimately building the diverse and prepared workforce that keeps retail operations running smoothly.
“The NRF Foundation continues to expand its impact to help recruit and retain talent for the retail industry. Each year, the Foundation awards one million dollars in scholarships to support the next generation of retail leaders”, explains Lukoskie. “Through its training, partnerships, and career‑readiness initiatives, the NRF Foundation connects more than 80,000 learners and more than 3,700 industry partners with the retail industry annually.”
What connects Nordstrom’s tailoring certificate program, Carhartt’s high school grants, and BRUNT’s 100,000-boot pledge is not just generosity but strategy. Each initiative reflects a recognition that waiting for talent to materialize is no longer viable, and that the companies that invest in building the pipeline will have a structural advantage over those who don’t. As NRF Foundation Executive Director Adam Lukoskie frames it, “Retail offers far more than a first job.” For that promise to hold, the industry will need more programs like these that treat workforce development not as a charitable add-on, but as a core business function.
