INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry and North Carolina State University’s Nonwovens Institute (NWI) have together formed a series of nonwovens short courses named “The Professional Development Series.” The six-course portfolio series will harmonize and unify each organizations’ separate nonwoven training courses into a single series starting with the nonwovens  basics, increasing to intermediate and capping with an advanced series of product development, nanofibers and microfibers, fabric property development and spunbond and meltblown technology. Starting in 2015, the series will give industry professionals targeted and flexible short course opportunities to impart knowledge of nonwovens and advance career development goals.

Since 1998, INDA has offered its highly successful one-and-a half day Elementary Nonwovens Training Course and its three-day Advanced Nonwovens Training Course to INDA members and industry participants. Simultaneously, NWI has offered a series of advanced training courses ranging from three to five days, with one course quite similar to the INDA Advanced course. 
 
The Professional Development Series starts January 21 and offers Continuing Education Units to Intermediate and Advanced Series participants. The full series includes: Elementary, with a focus toward professionals who are new to nonwovens; Intermediate, designed for industry professionals familiar with nonwovens or those with a more technical background; and Advanced, created for industry participants looking for deeper knowledge in specfic nonwoven areas. The beginning course will be held at INDA’s headquarters in January, June and September; the Intermediate Course will be held on the NC State campus in March, August and November; and the Advanced Series will held at NC State in February.

“We are delighted to partner with the Nonwovens Institute at NC State University to combine our training course offerings into a single Professional Development Series that is easily understandable for members of INDA, members of NWI, and industry participants from the nonwovens and related industries,” says INDA president Dave Rousse. “Combining INDA’s course content with NWI’s pilot lines and labs enriches the experience for attendees. This collaboration removes doubt and confusion about which courses fit best, and should enable more efficient and assured use of these well designed courses to meet the professional development needs of our industry.”

Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., Executive Director of The Nonwovens Institute and Associate Dean of the NC State University College of Textiles, says, “Our primary mission is as a teaching institution training future leaders.  We have assembled the best facilities, faculty and staff to do just that. INDA has a great reach into the industry that can generate awareness of the resources available to educate and advance nonwovens. Therefore, combining the strengths of each and eliminating duplication will result in a superior experience for all.  This harmonized series of courses will appeal to a broad group and well serve a significant need in this industry. We are very excited to be able to do this together.”

More information: www.inda.org/education/