People with disabilities learn business skills
People with disabilities learn business skills
A group of Vientiane people with disabilities have undergone training in operating small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in a four-day business skills course last week.
Lao Disabled Women's Development Centre Director, Ms Chanpheng Sivila, said 25 participants were selected from various associations and centres for people with disabilities in the city to join the course, which ran from August 19-22.
“Some trainees already had their own business operations, some have trained in business skills but are still unable to run a business because of their family situation, and others were students who want to gain professional skills,” she said.
Participants learned about how to start an SME, how to perform a business risk assessment, and how to run a successful business.
An assessment held at the end of the course showed 95 percent of the trainees had gained important skills throughout the week.
“We hope the lessons they have gained from the trainers met the expectations they had before the course,” Ms Chanpheng said.
“Participants can now put their skills into practice and become successful businesspeople.”
Ms Chanpheng said similar training courses had first begun at the centre in 2011, aiming to provide vocational skills to people with disabilities.
“Goods made by people with disabilities are of a high quality and appearance, and that's why we should offer support and training – so they can earn an income,” she said.
Apart from SME training, the centre also offers another 11 vocational courses that have helped more than 500 people since 2002.
“We offer training in three major subjects: tailoring, textile weaving and handicrafts,” Ms Chanpheng said.
“Participants can now earn incomes of up to 400,000 to 500,000 kip per month from selling their products, especially those made from recycled paper.”
vientiane times
