BY NAZRUL ZAWAWI
KUCHING: A shoemaking course drawing on the expertise of design icon Datuk Jimmy Choo will be offered by the Centre of Technical Excellence (Centexs) here next month.
Its general manager (commercial) Shahren Yusri, said the course will see 30 new students being given special training by the Jimmy Choo fashion group over a period of nine months.
“He (Jimmy Choo) himself will also come here (Centexs) several times a month to give guidance to students later,” he revealed.
The course, which will focus on artisanal skills, will expose students to the anatomy of the foot and the basics of style.
According to Shahren, the course will come under the supervision of its heritage fashion academy.
“This course is under fashion technology which will open opportunities for local people to produce their own shoe patterns and brands.
“The fashion hub at Centexs does not focus on product production but also on the fashion designer hub, which is to produce more fashion designers who are capable of producing different types of fashion,” he told Suara Sarawak on Monday (June 12).
According to Shahren the accreditation certificate awarded to students is not like other skill certifications because the Centexs certificate has international industry rating.
“Students don’t need to worry about marketability because industry out there very much welcomes your presence as a Centexs product.
“If you choose not to work with industry, we (Centexs Commercial) will help promote your product.
“If your product is sold, royalties will be given based on sales revenue,” he added.
He said, what is important is that the student gets a job and can generate his or her own income.
Shahren also said that the opening of the fashion hub was the brainchild of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“He suggested that we create a fashion hub first followed by a food hub.
“Alhamdulillah we have now succeeded in realising the Premier’s idea and we are making an effort to further introduce the role of Centexs to the public through this fashion hub,” he said.
Shahren said items produced by the fashion hub at Juma’ani Pavilion would not only target the local market but also aim for recognition as a shoe manufacturer at the international level.
He added that a large-scale production plant may be built within the next five or ten years depending on demand.
“At Juma’ani Pavilion presently there is also a production section but only for small quantities,” he said.
In addition to the fashion technology programme, various other programmes are also offered by Centexs such as on oil and gas, construction, electrical, tourism and hospitality and culinary courses.
Centexs currently operates out of various areas such as Kuching, Lundu, Betong, Mukah, Dalat and Lawas.
