Textiles: America's Lost Blue-Collar Industry -Harrie Schoots

What can Harrie Schoots' journey in the textile industry teach us about the evolving nature of craftsmanship, the impact of e-commerce, and the importance of self-sufficiency?Harrie Schoots brings decades of experience and insight into the textile industry, highlighting craftsmanship's technical complexities and essential role. Growing up in a generation that valued hard work and humility, Harrie navigated the industry’s shift due to e-commerce and the aging workforce. In this episode, he emphasizes the significance of attracting younger talent and the contributions of educational institutions and even draws connections between the art of textile production and making sourdough bread. This conversation sheds light on perseverance, adaptability, and the push for innovation in a traditional industry.Highlights:Navigating Industry Shifts: Harrie Schoots discusses the significant impacts of e-commerce and technological advancements on the textile industry, stressing the need for technical and transferable skills to stay relevant.Generational Transition: Addressing the challenge of an aging workforce, Harrie underscores the importance of drawing younger generations into textile craftsmanship through innovative internship programs and educational support.Craftsmanship and Humility: Learn from Harrie’s experiences growing up in an era that prized practical goals and humility and how these values continue to influence his approach to industry challenges.Supporting the Industry: Discover how organizations such as NC State College of Textiles and AATCC offer scholarships and collaborate with educational institutions to rejuvenate the textile sector and fill critical skill gaps.The Sourdough Connection: Delve into the intriguing parallels Harrie draws between the science of making sourdough bread and the technical processes in textile production, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency and practical skills.Responding to Crisis: Hear about the efforts made by factories to produce essential items like masks and surgical gowns during the shutdown, and the subsequent challenges posed by cheaper alternatives from abroad.Connect with Harrie:EmailLinkedInConnect with us:Steve Doyle:WebsiteLinkedInEmailBrad Herda:WebsiteLinkedInEmailThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrpOP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy