Career Program Overview
Completing a diploma program gives you the right skills to enter the apparel industry with confidence. Apparel companies are looking for the skills we teach and a certificate from PFI will open opportunities for you, or you can branch off on your own and live your fashion dreams!
LEARN TO BECOME AN
Apparel Designer
Our most popular degree. Whether you are looking to start your own line of clothing or work at a large apparel company, this degree will prepare you for a wide range of opportunities.
LEARN TO BECOME AN
Apparel Technical Developer
Want to get a job in the industry or work freelance? Here’s the path to take. It focuses on computer skills in Adobe and patternmaking so you can get work as a technical designer, product developer, patternmaker or fit engineer.
LEARN TO BECOME AN
Apparel Entrepreneur
Learn what it takes to start your own Apparel Business and earn the skills required to build a business plan, understand the nuance of working with buyers, customers, and suppliers. Also learn about small business grant programs where you could win funds to launch your business.
Learn from the Best
Designed by an advisory board from four major Portland apparel companies, all three of our programs are taught by instructors who work in apparel and are well-versed in current techniques. PFI courses can help you become industry proficient in clothing design, patternmaking, construction, manufacturing and production. We are apparel people teaching apparel people. We welcome you to join us!
When you enroll in a career program, you get:
- Access to financial support, equipment and supplies
- First call on classes
- A place in PFI’s annual fashion event and portfolio show
- Networking with industry professionals
- Career services
Employment After Completing Your Program
Can students get jobs after attending your classes?
We offer career services for those in our career programs. We do not guarantee job placement but more than 80 percent have gone into internships and jobs in the apparel industry and are working for companies from independent designers to major corporations. Of the remaining 20 percent, some have started their own retail and onllne stores. Others have started their own clothing lines.
What are students of the career programs doing after they graduate?
Starting their own lines of clothing or working for one of the many apparel companies like Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Adidas, Browzwear, Kohls, Nike Swim/Perry Ellis International, Fred Meyer, Duchess Clothiers, Hanna Andersson, Wildfang, Portland Garment Factory, Michael Curry Designs, and Portland Opera.
An Affordable Education
PFI is an accredited non-profit career school. PFI strives to remain affordable. We keep the cost of completing a degree as low as we can. Plus, enrollees also have access to flexible payment options. Bottom line, we really do want you to be free from debt.
2024 Career Program Tuition Rates*
*subject to change
Apparel Designer: $23,870
Apparel Technical Developer: $23,870
Apparel Entrepreneur: $23,870
Not ready for a diploma program? Try just a class or two for fun:
Just for Fun Classes
Thank you for taking the time to help me sort through my career in fashion. I have submitted my application to the apparel design program at PFI. I can honestly say I have learned more from the hour talking to you about portfolio development than my three years at Oregon State.
