Skills for Creative Industry empowers local handicrafts to meet market quality

October 3, 2024 11:05 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Adorina Massing.

The Skills for Creative Industry (SCI) is a sector under the Vanuatu Skills Partnership (VSP) that supports local handicraft markets in achieving their full potential in product quality.

Funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the SCI has partnered with the Department of Industry (DOI) to assist the productive sector.

SCI Acting Manager Richie John said the SCI aims to support every creative hub in each province of Vanuatu. “We currently have four handicraft hubs: TORBA Handicraft Cooperative, MALAMPA Handicraft Centre, SANMA Creative Industry Community Company Limited (SCICC), and the TAFEA Creative Hub,” he said.

“Our work involves supporting the Managers and Coordinators from these creative hubs to ensure all local products meet market quality standards.”

Mr. John noted that the DOI has supported the SCI for many years to certify that local products are of good quality and meet market standards for buyers.

“We do not venture deeply into their local businesses; we only provide support in terms of quality checks and professional development to help them grow and become more sustainable, allowing them to be more independent,” he said.

The Acting Manager mentioned that the SCI also assists local hat vendors with procurement. “We would also like to acknowledge the Australian Government for their funding support to VSP, which allows us to create workshop training for each creative hub in Vanuatu,” he said.

“During the Vanuatu Made Trade Show, every booth displayed their locally made products at good quality, which is what we aim to achieve for our local businesses under the SCI. One of the most successful local businesses is the SANMA Creative Industry Community Company (SCICC), known for its unique pandanus-woven hats.”

The MALAMPA Handicraft Centre is one of the first established hubs, followed by the SCICC, which was founded in 2018 as Vanuatu’s first-ever community company. The SCICC consists of two associations: the Malo Island Bosahe Sector One Women’s Handicraft Association and the mamas from North Pentecost who reside in the Luganville area, known as the Limabulu Headwear Association. Another association that existed before the company was registered is the Yumitu Craft.

The SCICC produces and sells handicraft products ranging from headwear to clothing and textiles. SCICC Acting Manager Janet Sine stated that the company has had two buyers for their local produce, exporting from 2018 to 2020 to the Australian Pacific BRIM international headwear collection and the Wellington NZ market from 2021 to 2022.

Mrs. Sine said this is their fourth export with companies in Australia and New Zealand. With support from the VSP international coach, Sydney hatmaker Rosie Boylan has been training the mamas in export protocols to ensure safe exchanges and compliance with overseas market standards.

Mrs. Sine confirmed they have signed a contract with VSP regarding confidentiality and to maintain their relationship with all creative hubs, protecting their legal work as well as their funding donor from Australia. “The company deducts 25% from all local products sold. If we sell at VT2,500 at every event, we will pay our mamas VT2,000,” she explained.

“Since 2023, we’ve opened the doors to our new outlet in Luganville and have now secured our copyrights to benefit from all our local products sold.”

Regarding pricing for overseas buyers, SCI Acting Manager John stated that there is a set price range for how local businesses should price their products in Vanuatu compared to overseas exporters. For export purposes, the producer’s price is VT2,000 for one hat, with an additional 25% added, amounting to VT500.

Last week, Mrs. Sine was in Port Vila to sell SCICC products during the Vanuatu Made Trade Show event. She added that attending major events like this is not only about selling products but also an opportunity to discuss business management with other handicraft operators.