People - Qualifications
Training and Career Pathways
Each of our partner sewing centres provides multiple avenues for education, vocational training, and employment pathways. All three sewing centres have their own approach based on their garment workers and community’s needs.
AIM Employment Centre
AIM’s Employment Centre is open to women who has been rescued from or are at risk of human trafficking and/or work exploitation.
Workers are provided with healthcare, daycare, counselling and training.
Women also learn essential maths, language, and budgeting skills that open the door to countless work opportunities beyond the Employment Centre. It is not only a sustainable and empowering job, but also a launchpad for their dreams.
"We’ve seen how much people have changed. We’ve seen people become team leads, teachers at the AIM school, social workers that work with the AIM swat team, a few became real estate managers…and one left and started her own salon business."
- Thearos Sou, Director of Reintegration
Fairsew
In addition to recognising their staff for their work, Fairsew provides external training programs and subsidised study assistance for workers interested in further diversifying their skills. Fairsew also has a membership with a local hospital to ensure that all their workers’ health needs are met.
“When we came in and we started opening up the business, we looked at labour law and we looked at the kind of conditions that we would normally be awarded in Australia and we went ‘Well, this is all normal stuff so why wouldn’t we award our staff this?’”
- Annelise Helmy, founder of Fairsew.
Maison Chance
Maison Chance always applies the saying, “If you give them a fish, they will eat it in a day. If you teach them how to fish, they'll eat forever." We work with the Take Wing Centre, which is focused on vocational training and job creation for members with disabilities. Currently, the centre has four training programs: sewing, drawing, semi-precious stone processing, and IT.
Members choose a profession based on their interests. The entire Take Wing Centre is adaptable and designed for people living with disability.
Funding Larger Initiatives to Ensure Children have the Right to Education
Over 1 in 10 Cambodian children do not go to school. It is also estimated that more than 300,000 children are required to work to support the needs of their families. “Cambodian children leave school to help alleviate poverty back home.”
To address this national education issue, AIM provides aid for families in need and has established a school, so that the children of these families can have an education.
There are currently 661 students enrolled at AIM school, protected from potential exploitation through education and humanitarian aid.
“By receiving an education, the kids at the AIM School have the opportunity to break the cycle of exploitation (and poverty) in their community and protect future generations”. Pleases refer to our About Us section on Transparency for further information about materials and environmental impact across the supply chain.