The Fashion Exchange opens in Toronto's Regent Park

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Mar 29, 2016

George Brown College launched on Tuesday a new fashion hub which aims to improve employment opportunities for immigrants and at risk youth in Toronto's Regent Park neighbourhood.
 
Titled the "Fashion Exchange", the hub will connect the Regent Park community to the city's fashion sector and will deliver training through the Ontario Youth Skills Connections program to prepare individuals for entry-level jobs in the fashion industry.

 
Two 16 week programs - Apparel Fit Technician and Industrial Power Sewing – will be offered for youth ages 18 to 29.
 
“The Fashion Exchange brings fashion and education together, forging new pathways to employment for residents of Regent Park," says Anne Sado, President, George Brown College, in a news statement. "With new programs concentrated on jobs currently facing labour shortages, we are also building the workforce the fashion sector needs and delivering career-ready graduates necessary to fill critical vacancies in and around the GTA."

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What’s more, the hub will also help boost domestic apparel production in Toronto by offering manufacturing support to local companies and emerging designers. New designers will have access to the Fashion Exchange to produce their collections until they reach sufficient scale to evolve to larger production.
 
The facility was supported by the Ministry of Economic Development Employment and Infrastructure, as well as by The Daniels Corporation, The R. Howard Webster Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., The State Street Foundation and Toronto Community Housing.