Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) facilitated training of SMEs as ToT (Training of Trainers) in transformative Entrepreneurship, Footwear and Leather Goods Design, Craftsmanship, Export readiness, Costing/Pricing and Record Keeping, was successfully conducted from May 16 to 28, 2022, at the Training and Production Center for Shoe Industry (TPCSI), Thika, Kenya. The training was organized in collaboration with the Kenya Leather Development Council, under BADEA Technical Assistance grant.
The aim of the training was to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of SMEs to attain growth through shifting their mindset and embrace changes, enhance SMEs technical capacity and economies of scale to supply both Public and Private Sector institutional buyers and promote replication through knowledge sharing & dissemination.A total of 30 participants, thirteen females and 17 male, with the majority from small and medium enterprises attended the training.
The training, primarily, focused on hands-on training that is expected to enhance the skills of participants and provides them with a solid foundation to be competitive and more productive.The footwear and leather goods samples that were made during the training were exhibited at the graduation ceremony.
At the Graduation ceremony, the Guest of honour, Dr. Isack Noor, CEO, KLDC, presented certificates to trainees and made a speech in which he thanked ALLPI and BADEA for organizing such an important ToT training. He also urged trainees to apply and widely disseminate the knowledge and skills gained from the training so that the training to have great contribution for the leather industry development and SMEs growth.
Mr. Ghebregziabher Ghebremedhin, Programs Coordinator, representing the ALLPI Executive Director Prof. MwinyihijaMwinyikione, made a welcoming speech, in which he thanked the government of Kenya in general and KLDC in particular, for the support and exemplary collaborative activities with ALLPI. He also thanked: BADEA for the technical Assistance by funding the training, the resource persons from the region and ALLPI Experts for sharing important knowledge and skills. Further, he congratulated the graduates for their dedication and active engagement in the learning experience and their successful completion of the training program. Mr. Ghebremedhin reiterated ALLPI’s continued commitment to contribute to the capacity building activities for the transformation of the leather sector in Kenya.
Other Officials that made speech during the graduation ceremony included, Mr. Paul Mutegi- the TPCSI Center Manager, Mr. Charles N. Mwangi Director of Technical Services, KLDC, Prof. Tesfay Haile, resource person from the region, and two representatives of trainees. All the speakers expressed their appreciation for the ToT training and thanked ALLPI and BADEA for the opportunity.
