About the TLF:

The Dow Skills Development Centre (DSDC) has a longstanding history of promoting vocational education and skill development for underprivileged individuals, particularly women and young girls. The Stitching Unit was established in 2010, the DSDC Stitching Unit has been a key player in transforming lives by providing valuable vocational training to empower communities in and around the DUHS Ojha Campus area.

Initially, in the DSDC Textile Unit, various basic vocational courses were offered such as basic dressmaking, advanced dressmaking, fabric painting, fashion designing, sewing, and Stitching designing. The Stitching unit, a core component of DSDC, served as a haven for aspiring textile enthusiasts to acquire essential skills and knowledge in the field. Many young girls from low-income households found a promising path toward employment and entrepreneurship through this initiative.

However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges, forcing us to suspend all textile-based programmes.

In December 2022, DSDC collaborated with Blossom Home Textiles to refurnish and restart operations but this time, with a more sustainable model, so that we never have to shut down again. The Stitching Unit at DSDC was revived in the form of a “Stitching and Tailoring Learning Factory” for disadvantaged women & girls, a joint venture that operates as a social enterprise, while also providing learning, training, and job placement. Working with an established Industry Partner ensures that the training curriculum is aligned with market requirements and is building the right employability skills

Blossom Home Textiles donated all required modern equipment and tools and continues to provide technical expertise to ensure the project’s success. With the Vice Chancellor DUHS’ approval, orders for all textile-related requirements such as lab coats, scrubs, patient gowns, and uniforms are now placed at the Textile Learning Factory, turning TLF into one of the safest and most productive job centres in the district, providing employment as well as lucrative self-employment opportunities to trainees. As such, we are playing a small role towards SDGs 4 ( Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The TLF not only provides employment and self-employment opportunities but also promotes quality education and gender equality.

State of the DSDC stitching unit post-pandemic

Outdated Machines that are now rusted and beyond repair, unable to deliver training, certainly not according to industry employability requirements

 

The DSDC Stitching Unit after Revival as Textile Learning Factory:

 

TLF Primary Purpose:

DSDC- TLF’s Primary Purpose with the re-establishment of the Stitching & Tailoring Unit is to reignite the spirit of empowerment and opportunity for women and young girls from marginalized backgrounds. By reviving this essential component of the DSDC, TLF aims to provide:

1. Skill Development: Provide comprehensive textile education and hands-on training to enhance the skills of participants in stitching, tailoring, and other related disciplines. The courses will be designed to meet industry standards and equip learners with practical knowledge.

2. Employment Opportunities: Create sustainable employment avenues for trained individuals within the textile industry. By fostering a skilled workforce, DSDC aims to support economic growth and reduce unemployment rates in the community.

3. Entrepreneurial Support: Foster an entrepreneurial spirit among participants, encouraging them to establish their small businesses related to textiles and fashion. DSDC will provide guidance, mentorship, and resources to help these women set up and manage their ventures successfully.

4. Women Empowerment: Empower women from underprivileged backgrounds by instilling confidence and self-reliance through education and skill development. The Stitching & Tailoring Unit will act as a platform for women to break societal barriers and achieve financial independence.

5. Community Development : Contribute to the overall development of the community by uplifting the socio-economic status of its residents. Trained individuals can become change-makers and role models for others in the area.

Vision:

DSDC's vision for the Stitching & Tailoring Unit is to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Through the unit's initiatives, DSDC aims to become a catalyst for transformative change, not only in the lives of the participants but also in the broader community.

Mission:

The mission of the Stitching & Tailoring Unit is to empower women and young girls from low-income households with skills that can lead to sustainable livelihoods and self-reliance. By providing high-quality textile education and nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset, DSDC aims to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity, creating a brighter future for all participants and the society they belong to.

TLF’s Objectives:

1. To operate as a self-sustaining vocational training unit simulating a real factory environment to provide marginalized women & young girls hands-on training required to create a finished product from the start, conduct industry-led projects, and earn income.
2. To ensure an industry-aligned curriculum that imparts market-relevant employability skills.
3. To function as a job centre for underprivileged women and young girls, supported by DUHS and partners.
4. Fulfil the Stitching needs of DUHS & other Sustainability Clientele at low cost.
5. Employ new technologies, machinery, and skills to innovate and bring improvements necessary for producing higher-quality textiles products