Five groups of Pekerti’s producers; Balaputra Dewa, Kasiani, Dinata, Bawa Collection and Arum Sari, were involved in this training activity. With different backgrounds of skills and raw materials use, the producers gained additional skills from Pekerti’s designer.
Reading sketches, processing of raw materials, coloring including mixing colors, trying new shapes, quality control and product price calculation become part of the training materials from product development carried out in late April until early May. The training was done in this period in anticipation of buyers’ next product selection session.
Pekerti’s designer prepared 74 product designs, meaning producers were responsible for creating around four samples each. After the training, some producers unfortunately failed to make all four products, namely an earring and three photo frame. Therefore 70 kinds of products were finished and at the time of writing 62 of these products had been sent into to Pekerti’s Jakarta headquarters and we are waiting for 8 other products.
The training was reported as useful, with all producers thanking Pekerti for helping them identify market trends and aid them in the production process. Producers were appreciative of being shown what they refer to in Bahasa Indonesia as ‘real attention’ from Pekerti, meaning they are appreciative of Pekerti’s genuine effort to assist them in gaining more orders. All producers were interested in receiving further designs from Pekerti, showing an interest in and dedication to practicing product development in the future. Producers also expressed thanks for being given the opportunity to gather with other Balinese producers to communicate socially face to face.
On behalf of the Pekerti’s producers Pekerti would like to thank Traidcraft UK for its financial and social support, which made possible the product development program. Hopefully, with the help of Traidcraft, Pekerti’s producers can grow and pass on their skills to the people around them.
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