Industry’s class of 2024 redefines the future of apparel
View(s):Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, a driver of the nation’s economy, celebrated a pivotal moment in advancing gender equality with the graduation of the 2024 cohort from the Gender Equality and Returns (GEAR) programme recently. Over 80 per cent of the apparel workforce in Sri Lanka comprises women, yet they remain significantly underrepresented in leadership roles. The GEAR is a flagship initiative of the Better Work Sri Lanka programme which aims to address these leadership gaps by equipping women with skills to advance into supervisory and managerial roles. Better Work Sri Lanka is a joint initiative of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) supported by the European Union (EU), and Levis Strauss Foundation, GEAR said in a media release.
This year, 102 female trainees from leading factories, including Brandix Lanka, Courtaulds Clothing Lanka and Hirdaramani Apparel marked their journey of transformation. There were 81 trainees who moved from team member to supervisor and while another 21 trainees went from supervisor to executive. Since its pilot phase in Sri Lanka, the GEAR programme has facilitated progress, with over 84 per cent of participants earning promotions and production lines led by GEAR-trained supervisors reporting measurable improvement of +5.00% increase in efficiency.
In addition to machine operators been promoted as supervisors, this graduation included supervisors to executives/ middle managers and 30 Master Trainers under the ToT programme.
“Representation matters, especially at the grassroots level, where women are significantly underrepresented,” said Kesava Murali Kanapathy, Head of the Better Work Sri Lanka programme. “GEAR is a transformative journey, fostering inclusivity, leadership, and operational excellence. It is inspiring to see graduates poised to become agents of change in the apparel sector.”
The 2024 graduation ceremony, held in Colombo in December, served as a celebration and a platform for discourse. Industry stakeholders, including representatives from the Joint Apparel Association Forum, Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, and various factory managers, participated in discussions on GEAR’s impact and future strategies for expanding its reach.
Hitad.lk has you covered with quality used or brand new cars for sale that are budget friendly yet reliable! Now is the time to sell your old ride for something more attractive to today's modern automotive market demands. Browse through our selection of affordable options now on Hitad.lk before deciding on what will work best for you!