The idea of creating a competitive Fashion Training Center based on modular training arose in the spring of 2022. The idea is aimed at building human resources at the request of Khmelnytskyi garment industry enterprises and will contribute to the clustering of the industry, which is defined as a smart specialization of the region.
The members of Podillia Fashion Cluster united around this goal: garment companies (both local and relocated), several departments of Khmelnytskyi National University and the Sustainable Development Agency ASTAR.
Since March 2022, we have been working effectively on the preparatory process for the launch of such a structural unit of the cluster.
Obviously, it was difficult to implement such a large-scale project on our own powers. There is still a need for donor support.
Within the proposed grant activity, the USAID Competitive Economy Program supports the establishment of the “Fashion Training Center” in Khmelnytskyi for modular training. The training provides a set of eight flexible 2-3-month retraining programs for workers with no prior experience in the industry.
The training programs include:
📌 4 programs for seamstresses, automated sewing machine operators, digital fabric printing designers and cutters;
📌 «Creative Studio» advanced training course on the development, implementation and promotion of new sewing products for students of master’s programs;
📌 3 programs for entry-level, advanced and professional clothing designers for current employees of companies.
In addition, the grant activities include an advertising campaign with videos about the garment industry, a series of events, and interviews with people who have moved into the garment business. This will help to change the perception of the industry, highlight the benefits of working professions, and provide social advertising about the labor market prospects for working professions in garment factories.
Those who learned about the initiative through an advertising campaign, university students, employees of companies looking to retrain their staff, and the unemployed registered at employment centers could participate in the retraining and improve their skills.
The implementation of this project helps participants gain new knowledge (or retraining), maximize their internships at manufacturing companies, and find employment.
