Benny Noah Aole and Yula George with their certificates of participation after attending the PNG Fashion and Design training in Goroka.
BY ISAAC LIRI
THE
number of unemployed youths in the country is increasing at a rapid rate as we
see many youths roaming around doing nothing.
The
search for employment is also very challenging for youths. Some end up engaging
in criminal activities while the fortunate ones find hope through opportunities
given and end up being productive citizens.
Five
years ago the PNG Fashion and Design Week Limited was created by founder Mrs
Janet Sios. One of the main aims behind this set up was to help youths in
providing opportunities for them to find something meaningful in life.
In
a recent grassroots fashion and design training workshop held in Goroka in the
Eastern Highlands province, 38 participants were enlightened.
The
training workshop opened up their minds to realize the potential of the fashion
and design industry, and how they can create businesses in this sector to help
sustain their livelihoods and also give back to the community.
The
participants were trained on the production stages of fashion and design and
also how to create business and market their products. The workshop gave them
directions to tap into Small Medium Enterprises (SME’s).
Among
the 38 participants was a couple. Benny Noah Aole, 27, from Faniufa village and
Yula George, 25, from Masi village.
Prior
to the training, the couple had no clue at all about fashion and design, but
after attending the 13-day training, the couple say they’re now equipped with
all the necessary skills and knowledge required to venture into this industry
and make ends meet.
They
both met while studying accounting at the Goroka Technical Collage.
After
coming out of school, finding employment was very challenging as they sat
together pondering how they would survive in a world where money does most of
the talking today.
Yula
said it was through her aunt Susie that they knew about the training and both
were encouraged to attend to find out more.
Janet Sios
They
both got hooked since day one as they began learning on how to produce clothing
that would signify a local identity which they can call it their own. These
were uncharted waters for both, but fascinating, as it captured their utmost
interest.
Furthermore
they were then taught of the business opportunities related to the fashion and
design industry and how to market their products.
They
learnt the importance of partnership and what specific roles they can play to
also contribute to an industry which was described by Janet Sios as a sleeping
giant in its infancy stage.
“We
had other business plans but coming to this training has given us a new insight
that fashion and design can give us an opportunity to start our own business,”
Benny said.
“We’ve
learnt a lot of new and exciting things while attending this training and we
are very appreciative towards the people that connected us to this training,
the organizers (PNG Fashion and Design Week) and the sponsors (Australian
Government).
“Coming
from accounting backgrounds, we both had some business skills in us and this just
adds more to what we know already.”
“We
are both new in the fashion and design industry. We don’t sew or print shirts
but because we were interested in starting our own business, we thought that
this could be an opportunity so we took it.”
During
the 13 day period of the training, the couple would go back home and discuss on
what they’ve learnt as they both realized how helpful the training was to them.
“We
discovered that we had the potential and ability to venture into this but that
potential was hiding somewhere and this training has unearthed that potential.
“We
now see that fashion has a demand because every day people need clothes to
wear, and with this understanding, we are now serious in tapping into this
industry.”
“We
now have plans to start our own business in textile design and then grow and
work together with the other participants we attended the training with.
Yula
also shared similar sentiments; “Today there are a lot of people roaming the
streets doing nothing and this training has given us hope that we can actually
do something with our lives.
“This
training is very helpful to us in this age group because we are the future of
this country and the fashion and design industry has potential to grow with people
like us.”
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