Vimala (centre, in white) with students from the baking class at Pasir Gudang Community College.
MORE upskilling classes are required to empower the state’s B40 community to become independent entrepreneurs.
Johor Baru Women’s Welfare Association president I. Vimala said that this can be done through the women’s development portfolio with the guidance of local technical and vocational training institutions.
“We also hope to introduce cheaper classes that can attract more participation.
“I organised floral arrangement and baking classes last December, and the response was positive,” she said, adding that the baking classes were organised with Pasir Gudang Community College.
Vimala added that all her students were women from B40 families in Pasir Gudang and Johor Baru who could not afford to set up a physical store.
She said the participants then start small by running their businesses from home.
Pasir Gudang Community College director Tahir Leemat said that the baking, pastry, and bread classes were fully sponsored by the Human Resources Development Corporation.
“This is the first time that we managed to organise such classes.
“Our goal is to not only teach them how to bake but also how to sustain their business and better manage cashflow,” he explained.
Tahir added that the college also wanted to create more jobs in the state through skills training.
“We collaborated with Sri Aspirasi Academy to train 50 students in the baking classes.”
Sri Aspirasi Academy managing director Dr Melvin Nesan said the students would be monitored closely until March.
“We want to see the progress of their sales. With the skills acquired, they can use social media to create content and sell their products.
“Our aim is to ensure all the students are able to earn a five-figure income by March,” he said.
