35 graduate from Smec textile, garment training programme

By LEMACH LAVARI
Thirty-five students graduated from the Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation’s (Smec) textile and garment training programmes on Friday.
Programme coordinator Henry Koim said 15 students graduated from the certificate 1 programme and 20 in certificate 2 programme.
The students completed courses in garment construction, pattern design, screen printing and sewing machine repair.
He said certificate 1 was a four-month programme and certificate 1 was five months long.
The next batch of students will begin classes in about two weeks.
The graduates also modelled their work at the graduation.
They showcased their dresses, blouses, men’s trousers and shirts and screen-printed clothing.
Koim said it was the first time the graduates had modelled their own work.
He said it was a display of the potential the graduates had.
Smec managing director Steven Maken said the programme had so far graduated 2900 students.
“The objective if the training programme is to promote the development of the garment and textile industry in Papua New Guinea,” Maken said.
“Smec, through the training, seeks to facilitate the textile industry to attain a sustainable local standing in the manufacture and export of clothing.”
He said Smec would continue to meet with development partners such as China and India to improve its functions and training programme that would empower entrepreneurs to be self reliant in their businesses.