From training to earning a living: People in Mykolaiv are being taught, free of charge, how to create merchandise and work in design

Photo: ‘Pivden’ Adult Learning and Education Centre (NGO)

An educational initiative is underway in Mykolaiv, where residents of the region are taught, free of charge, how to sew, create merchandise, work with graphic design and 3D printing. The main aim of the project is to provide participants not only with new knowledge, but also with practical skills that can subsequently be used to find employment, become self-employed or create their own products.

The initiative «From Learning to Income: Practical Skills for Self-Employment» is being implemented by the non-governmental organisation «Pivden Centre for Adult Learning and Education», project manager Iryna Baieva told NikVesti.

The project is primarily aimed at residents of Mykolaiv who are unemployed or lack a stable income. Participants may include women, internally displaced persons, male and female veterans, family members of military personnel, and people facing difficult life circumstances.

The project began with practical workshops, during which participants were able to try out different areas and work out what suited them best. Since August, sessions have been held on hand-painting shopping bags, sewing textile items, sublimation printing, 3D printing, and decorating make-up bags and T-shirts.

Photo: NGO ‘Pivden’ Centre for Adult Learning and Education

Photo: NGO ‘Pivden Centre for Adult Learning and Education’

This was followed by a series of long-term training courses. One of these focuses on sewing and decorating textile products. Participants are learning to use sewing equipment, mastering basic sewing techniques, working with zips, linings and trimmings, and sewing mobile phone pouches, make-up bags, handbags and other items.

Photo: NGO ‘Pivden’ Centre for Adult Learning and Education

Photo: NGO ‘Pivden Centre for Adult Learning and Education’

Another area of focus is the creation of merchandise. As part of this course, participants work with T-shirts, sweatshirts and other textile items, learning to create products that can subsequently be manufactured for their own brand or made to order for businesses, community organisations or other clients. Particular attention is paid to decorating and branding the finished products.

«It’s important to us that, after the course, people don’t just walk away with a certificate. They need to understand what to do next with their new skill: create their first piece, build a portfolio, take on commissions or try to find a job. That’s why we try to structure the training around things that can be put into practice straight away,» says project manager Iryna Baieva.

The organisers did not choose this approach by chance. Before launching the programme, they researched the local labour market, says Iryna Baieva.

Advertising

«In Mykolaiv, there were over 14,000 CVs for 3,760 vacancies. 68 per cent of residents surveyed said they were willing to learn in order to change their field of work,» she said.

The organisation is also in talks with local businesses regarding potential collaboration with graduates. After the courses, participants will also receive support with their portfolios, finding their first commissions, online promotion and communicating with employers. Career counselling and group sessions with a psychologist are available for those who need them.

In total, 40 people are set to complete the full training courses, whilst various activities are planned to reach 90 residents of Mykolaiv. The project will run until January 2027. It is being implemented with financial support from Razom for Ukraine.

Photo: NGO ‘Pivden Centre for Adult Learning and Education’

As a reminder, the «MY Urban HUB» School of Landscape Design and Urban Planning is operating in Mykolaiv. Young people are learning how to work with urban green spaces: selecting trees and flowers for landscaping, planning flower beds and analysing how plants can be used in an urban environment.