The Expert from ALLPI with the consultant from Ethiopia Leather Industry Development Institute (LIDI) went to Ndola, Zambia to give training on Glove making from 19th to 26th November 2018 in Chingola Leather Cluster.
The main objective of this specific Training was to build capacity of the selected SME’s in industrial glove making and link them to Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) for product and marketing cooperation. This activity is in line with Zambia Leather Value Chain Strategy which the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry is implementing with cooperation of ALLPI. This Strategy used as a roadmap for transforming the leather sector into a robust sector that would generate value in the Zambian economy, consequently contributing to the realization of the Vision 2030.
The Training program was officially opened by the Manager of Community Relations at KCM, Mr. Brian Siatubi; and Senior KCM Officials was also part of the opening ceremony. The Representative of Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry of Government of Zambia Ms. Namubebo Akombaetwa delivered speech about the government initiatives and readiness to support Leather sector in general based on ALLPI’s support to develop Leather value chain strategy.
The Training was conducted by Mrs. Alemzenash Endale Leather goods and Glove Technician as a lead trainer from LIDI, Mr. Stephen Kawyanta from Zambia Leather Industry Association as a Co-trainer and ALLPI Investment, Trade and Marketing expert Mrs. Birkinesh Gonfa as a facilitator.
The main Topic of the training was:
- Pattern preparation and measurement how to start tools and equipment used for glove making
- How to cut glove Pattern
- Paper Cutting exercise
- Cutting exercise leather
- Leather glove cutting and quality inspection
- Machine control
- Stitching exercise by paper
- Stitching exercise by leather
- Assembling and stitching Glove, finishing operation,
20 SME’s were participated in this specific training drawn from Chingola Leather Cluster and other Clusters outside of Chingola as well.
At the end of the training Closing remarks was delivered by Mr. Stephen Kawyanta from Zambia Leather Industry Association, Mr. Brian Siatubi. The Manager of Community Relations at KCM and Ms. Namubebo Akomaetwa from the Ministry of commerce, Trade and Industry. The final remark and the way forward speech was delivered by the Guest of Honor Professor. Prof. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija, Executive Director of ALLPI.
At the end of the closing session the certificate was issued and handover to participants by the guest of Honor and the Media was there to report the training outputs.
As a part of continuous activity of this training and reviewing of MOU between ALLPI and KCM the meeting was conducted at the head quarter of KCM and the concerned personnel from Public relation, community development unit, environment concerned unit was participated. During the meeting different activities conducted by KCM as a part of corporate social responsibility was presented and the next cooperation to develop SME Leather cluster with ALLPI also discussed and agreed. The production order of Gloves by KCM to SME Leather cluster based on the Bureau of standards of Zambia confirmation is one of the activities and training of Safety shoe training for selected SMEs was also part of the discussion. The trainees and ALLPI Team have got a chance to visit the KCM Production premises and visited Nichanga concentrator, Openpit and Smelter to observe the whole safety issues in mining industry of Zambia.
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is one of Zambia’s largest copper producers; with mining operations in Chingola, Chililabombwe, Kitwe and Nampundwe.