Excelling in the ISAIC Apprenticeship Program: Frankie Tiseo

Frankie Tiseo stands out as a top performer in the ISAIC Apprenticeship Program. Joining in October 2022 after graduating from the Fundamentals of Industrial Sewing and Production program, Frankie's hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of her team and mentors have propelled her to become one of the most skilled sewists on the team. 

For Frankie, the heart of the apprenticeship program lies in its people. She states, "My team is my favorite aspect—the A18- and everybody, I love everybody... I love being on machines, I love ISAIC. I’ve never worked in a place that is so focused on people, I've never worked in a place like this where we are in on everything—talking and sharing ideas and communicating, we spend a lot of time together." 

Beyond the camaraderie, Frankie relishes the learning curve the apprenticeship offers. She expresses, "I have become very proficient on the serger, I will be trained on the new tagging machine. I go on the DO line every once in a while; I always am learning, I wanted to learn to sew and how to get better, and this has been a huge steppingstone. I love learning about sustainability, and we talk about it." 

Frankie's enthusiasm for growth remains unwavering. She explains, "The new circular knit machine, we've been there from the ground up—we are learning how to work with it on the line, it was a lot of challenges. We must keep the old knit machine separate from the new machine, and we discuss things as a team and talk about things amongst ourselves.” 

Frankie is undoubtedly an asset to the ISAIC team, embodying diligence, quick learning, and collaboration. Her passion for sewing and sustainability is evident, making her a shining example of the potential the ISAIC apprenticeship program can nurture. 

Frankie's mother, a former parole officer, told her about ISAIC when she was working in the hospitality industry as a waitress. She recalls, "My mother told me about the program; she heard from her parolees." After visiting the ISAIC website, Frankie was immediately drawn. The option of an apprenticeship sealed the deal for her. 

Having spent over nine months at ISAIC, Frankie's growth is evident. She's proficient on the serger, adapting to the new circular knit machine, and immersing herself in ISAIC’s new badgeable credential training program. Her appreciation for her ISAIC family is profound. "I feel like I am part of a family here," she shares. "We all support each other, and we are all working towards the same goal. I am so glad that I found ISAIC." 

Frankie offers advice for aspiring ISAIC employees or program participants: "Stay open-minded. Sewing can be a challenging but rewarding skill to learn. It is important to be patient and persistent, and to be willing to learn new things. Use the resources that are available to you. ISAIC offers a variety of resources to help apprentices learn and grow. Take advantage of these resources, such as the open studio, the workshops, and the mentorship program. Be a team player. Sewing is a collaborative process. It is important to be willing to work with others and to share your knowledge and skills. Be passionate about sustainability. ISAIC is committed to sustainable manufacturing. If you are passionate about sustainability, you will be a great fit for the ISAIC team."