First Regionally-Certified Garment Workers Honored

API President Benny Soetrisno (left) congratulates two of ASEAN’s first regionally-certified sewing machine operators

Indonesian Textile Association (API) President Benny Soetrisno formally issued the very first ASEAN Common Competency Program (ACCP) certificates during the opening session of API’s annual meeting on April 22 in Jakarta.

Indonesia’s Ministers of Industry and Trade were on hand to witness the ceremony, along with some 250 API members.

As part of its regional integration strategy, the ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX) has adopted common competencies for five garment industry positions on a trial basis.

On February 27, under the auspices of the ASEAN Common Competency Program (ACCP), AFTEX Indonesia (represented by API) held the first trial assessment for sewing machine operators.

Fourteen individuals were assessed following strict ACCP guidelines established by the AFTEX Skills Task Force chaired by AFTEX Indonesia.

Twelve of the candidates successfully demonstrated their competency, and became the first AFTEX “Certified” sewing machine operators in ASEAN.

This certification helps our company reward skillful operators. I hope that the reward will give them more confidence as it is recognized within ASEAN countries. I believe that in the long run it will help to increase our productivity. We look forward to participating in the next certification.

Ms Evie Tjitromihardjo HRD Manager, Leading Garment

Supported and managed by USAID’s VALUE Project, the ACCP is developing common competencies and an assessment and certification program for five textile & apparel industry jobs – sewing machine operator, sewing machine supervisor, sewing machine mechanic, merchandiser, and pattern maker.

Candidates had to perform a series of simple sewing operations. They could repeat each task three times and submit their best result. In addition, assessors interviewed each sewing machine operator to test their knowledge of preparation, maintenance, quality, and work safety.

The full assessment took about 60 minutes on average for each candidate.

The AFTEX Skills Task Force analyzed the results of the pilot exam for sewing machine operators and modified the test where appropriate.

ACCP certification benefits employers and workers, and leads to greater productivity.

Ms Endah Kusuma Wardhani, Workforce Development & Training, VALUE Project

The lessons learned in the design and preparation for the assessment process will be applied in the next ACCP exams:-

• May 20-21, Malaysia: Sewing machine mechanic pilot assessment
• May 22, Cambodia: Sewing machine operator pilot assessment
• June 24, Indonesia: Sewing machine mechanic pilot assessment

Regional certification based on common competencies represents an important milestone in the integration of ASEAN’s textile and apparel sector.