New equipment helps expand training at IFI

Armed with new tensioning “European-style” finishing equipment, the International Fabricare Institute has prepared a full schedule of resident courses for 2002 at its headquarters in Silver Spring, MD.

With the new equipment, a Hi-Steam tensioning pants topper and a Hi-Steam tensioning form finisher donated by the European Finishing Equipment Corp., IFI will be able to help students develop skills on the latest trend in finishing, as well as on the more traditional equipment.

“Our members are always interested in the current developments in the fabricare industry and the addition of this equipment will keep IFI up to date with the latest in finishing technology,” said IFI Instructor Brian Johnson.

The new equipment joins a stable of 16 stain removal boards and an array of drycleaning machines that use various solvents, and computerized wetcleaning washers and dryers, all used in the practical area where students’ work in the classroom is put to the hands-on test.

As has been the tradition in past years, IFI will continue to offer a one-week Introduction to Drycleaning course and a two-week Advance Drycleaning course. The focus will be to give cleaners a well-rounded education.

“To maintain a growing business, drycleaners must stay on top of the latest techniques and timesaving tips, and be aware of customer expectations,” said Jane Rising, IFI’s Manager of Training & Instruction. “IFI offers a number of training venues for cleaners to get that kind of continuing education. Regardless of which method they choose, the important thing is that cleaners continually upgrade their knowledge and skill level. That’s what separates a professional drycleaner from an amateur.”

IFI’s one-week introductory course, which, like the two-week advanced class is accredited through the Maryland Higher Education Commission, will cover the following: fibers and fabrics; work flow; principles of the drycleaning process for perchloroethylene and petroleum; assembly and invoicing; the drycleaning machine; cleaning and drying cycles; elementary stain removal; and finishing procedures for pants, coats and skirts.

The class will be available at four different times during the year, including January 28- February 1; April 22-26; July 29-August 2; and October 21-25.

IFI’s two week course is more suited for cleaners who have completed the one-week course or have been plant employees or owners/managers with more than one year of production experience.

The two-week class covers: specialty fabrics and fiber identification; advanced stain removal procedures and bleaches; finishing blouses, dresses, ties, all-weather coats, pleats, pile fabrics, silks and rayons; wetcleaning; solvents, detergents, moisture, filtration and distillation for perc and petroleum; troubleshooting the drycleaning system; regulations and care labeling; textile legislation; plant layout and work flow; customer service; and business management.

Dates for the two-week advanced course include: February 4-15; April 29-May 10; August 5-16; and October 28-November 8.

Both the one-week course and the two-week course can be taken separately or together as a three-week general drycleaning course. Stain Removal is offered by itself from June 12-14 and September 16-18.

All IFI resident courses are available to members and non-members; however; members receive a reduced tuition rate.

Cleaners who seek to refine their skills can also turn to IFI’s self-study offerings at its Cyberspace Learning Center (www.ifi.org/onlinecourses), as well as its outreach seminars.

IFI’s online academy includes ten courses on the following topics: Customer Service in Drycleaning; Drycleaning and the Environment; Drycleaning Business Management; Dry-cleaning Fundamentals; Fibers and Fabrics; Finishing Procedures in Drycleaning; Fundamentals of Laundry Management; Power Plant Operations; Stain Removal Techniques; and Wetcleaning.

Additionally, IFI will be roaming across the U.S. and Canada throughout 2002 with 27 outreach seminars.

“We realize it can be difficult to travel to IFI’s headquarters for comprehensive drycleaning instruction, or to send a team of employees to IFI, so every year we try to bring our education seminars to members in as many areas as possible,” said Rising. “By attending an outreach seminar, drycleaning owners and their entire staff can benefit from IFI’s educational experience. We strive to make our seminars instructional, informative and fun at the same time.”

Courses on Finishing are already planned for January 13 in Orlando, FL; February 9 in Lafayette, LA; March 16 in Portland, OR; April 6 in Atlanta, GA; April 20 in Seattle, WA; and May 4 in Columbia, SC.

Outreach seminars on Customer Service/Problem Garments will be offered on January 19 in Phoenix, AZ; March 9 in Cincinnati, OH; May 18 in Denver, CO; July 20 in Rochester, NY; August 17 in Milwaukee, WI; September 14 in San Francisco, CA; September 28 in Valdosta, GA; October 5 in Indianapolis, IN; October 12 in Salt Lake City, UT; and October 19 in Philadelphia, PA.

There will also be plenty of Stain Removal courses set throughout the year, including ones on February 2 in Dallas, TX; February 23 in Los Angeles, CA; April 13 in Omaha, NE; May 18 in Pittsburgh, PA; June 1 in Hartford, CT; June 22 in Chicago, IL; June 29 in Minneapolis, MN; July 13 in Worcester, MA; July 27 in Ottawa, Ontario; August 24 in Flint, MI; and November 2 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

IFI’s outreach seminars are available to both members and non-members alike. Space is limited for all classes, so early registration is recommended.

For more information about upcoming learning opportunities, or to register for a class, contact IFI’s Education Department at (800) 638-2627, ext. 144 or 141, or e-mail at education@ifi.org.