Style House Limited, in partnership with Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Vlisco Nigeria a Nigerian subsidiary of the Dutch Wax Manufacturing company - Vlisco Netherlands B.V. to provide skills acquisition training II to skilled manpower for the apparel sector, create job opportunities and upgrade the technical skills to improve quality, productivity and efficiency level of the industry. The training is scheduled to start in February 2017 at the Human Capital Development Centre (HCDC).

The Executive Director Nigerian Export Promotion Council Mr Segun Awolowo speaking on the HCDC skills acquisition training said that in recognition of the potential of the cotton, garment and textile sector, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council has embarked on some key initiatives to close the skills gaps in vocational activities, a major concern that the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), is giving some attention through it’s partnership with Style House, a key stakeholders on the scene with the ultimate aim of correcting the skills deficit.

Participants will be trained on industrial pattern making, garment construction and industrial training for on the job experience. Training will be for duration of 6 weeks at the Human Capital Development Centre in Apapa and application is open to people with an interest to learn and apply skills learned for employability in garment production.

HCDC Skills Acquisition Training I, was a success. The participants were presented with their certificates in November after an 8 week training and industrial attachment which ended with a production by the participants of a capsule collection designed by Vasithwa for Lagos Fashion and Design Week X Retail in collaboration with Vlisco. Ten of the final trainees have completed their employment process with Crown Natures and are scheduled to start work this January.

This project is first in a series of efforts by Style House to ensure that the apparel manufacturing workforce in Nigeria have access to high quality training, therefore creating a pool of well skilled garment production talent that can meet the increasing demand for made in Nigeria fashion.

Speaking on the partnership, the Country Manager Vlisco Nigeria, Mr Adebisi Yeye-Adekunle said that Vlisco sees a future in the Nigerian Textile and Garment sector of the economy.