Who are we
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Remove the barriers employment
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Job readiness training and workforce development
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Provide entrepreneurship training
About Lionel Toussaint.
Production Manager
A certified Cornell University Trainer , able to issue certifications for completion of upholstery training.
As a teenager I accompanied my friend to pick up his car from an upholstery shop and was amazed by the job that was done on the car seats. You see, I was familiar with the car and the condition of the car before it went to the upholstery company. I immediately found my passion. I spoke with the owner of the shop, and he hired me as his assistant. While working there, my brother surprised me with an upholstery books as an enticement to master the craft and continue the trade. The books enabled me to learn the theoretical aspect of the industry while I was learning the practical portion at the upholstery shop. I progressed and became a teacher at our local community college, teaching young adults the trade. The joyous look on the faces of those students was very gratifying.
Over the years I have expanded into creating drapery, headboards, soundproofing with acoustic panels and building other pieces of furniture from scratch. It is more than thirty-eight years since I fell in love with upholstery and still love it. I would like to pass on the trade by teaching others how to develop a career in upholstery.