Our Husky Energy Tailoring Skills Program for Women (HET) provides sewing and life skills training to 30 women in remote areas in Qinghai Province each year. For over three months, our participants gain tailoring skills, basic literacy, and money management knowledge—skills that enable them to earn sustainable incomes, support their families, and achieve financial independence.
On June 2, we reported the start of this year’s HET. A month and a half later, we were able to assess the participants’ progress and areas for improvement, followed by an evaluation to encourage them to try their best. This evaluation was conducted on July 18, using our standardized mid-term skills assessment. Of the 30 trainees, 29 were present. The one absent was not able to go due to personal reasons.
In the exam, we focused on the production of traditional Tibetan clothing. It mainly assessed participants’ skills in making the front and back panels of Tibetan-style vests, the overall structure of Tibetan garments, and Tibetan clothing sleeves.
When we were choosing our beneficiaries, we made sure that we were training women who had no prior tailoring experience. They all had to learn from a blank slate, making all of the sewing and cutting techniques unfamiliar to them. In those weeks, they overcame difficulties, set priorities, and stayed committed to attending our classes. Eventually, all of it came naturally to them. The transfer of information became seamless, which highlights the importance of merely showing up each day. From struggling to write numbers and uneven stitching, they have now developed the ability to operate sewing equipment proficiently and produce standardized Tibetan garments!
Not only did they do well in their assessment, but they were also very mindful of their surroundings. The venue was orderly and well-organized, and throughout the session, the women remained calm, careful, and focused as they completed each task accordingly.
As for the evaluation, the instructors graded each work according to objective measures such as pattern accuracy, stitching neatness, and overall completion of the work. Outstanding trainees were selected based on their final scores, while the rest were also lauded for their hard work and dedication.
Again, this is just the midterm, and we are halfway towards the end! With how things are looking, our trainees are on their way to using this skill as an opportunity to contribute to their families’ livelihoods. This midterm assessment not only evaluated the effectiveness of the training program but also greatly motivated the trainees’ enthusiasm for learning.
As we maintain the positive energy and pace of the training, we are looking forward to the other half of this training—and of course, we cannot wait to share it with you soon!
This program is fully funded by Husky Energy
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