An Giang women set to benefit through training

AN GIANG — A five-year programme to provide free vocational training and jobs for women in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang that began last year is proving successful.

Under the VND9 billion (US$420,000) project, the Women's Union has organised 68 vocational training courses for 1,900 people this year.

They trained the women in several skills like sewing, nail polishing, and making flowers, jewellery, and handicrafts.

Most trainees have since found jobs or set up their own business.

The Women's Union has also co-operated with local companies to provide vocational skills and jobs for women.

Thanh Truc Fashion Company in Cho Moi District, for instance, provided sewing courses for many women before hiring them.

Nguyen Thi Cam Tu, deputy chairwoman of the local commune Women's Union, said Thanh Truc was the first company to co-operate with the My Hiep Commune Women's Union to provide vocational skills and jobs for female labourers.

None of the trainees were jobless, she said. Even those who lived far away and could not travel to the company every day to work were taken care of: Thanh Truc lent sewing machines to them to work for it from home.

More than 40 per cent of them had escaped poverty.

Tran Ngoc Mai, deputy chairwoman of the provincial Women's Union, said the project offered women, especially rural, middle-aged, ethnic minority ones and those living in extremely difficult circumstances and resettlement areas, the opportunity to acquire vocational skills.

The Women's Union planned to train 12,000 people under the project, she said.

Not only are trainees offered support in the form of training and transportation subsidies, but also provided with loans to start their own business and promote their products. — VNS