As part of our upskilling program Magpies & Peacocks offers a formal training program to provide underserved community members with the tools and skills to help them become successful independent makers, business entrepreneurs or attain gainful employment.
The MAKR Collective trains life-long skills for employment, not only within fashion, but throughout the design and manufacturing industries. With a focus on therapeutic aspect of hand skills, training includes sewing, pattern cutting, alterations and sustainable design – based on a client’s interest and organic skillset. We also train clients on the business and organizational processes of working within our non-profit design house and retail concept – introducing opportunities in retail, warehousing + inventory control and barista cafe. Previous skillsets or experience are not required for program participants in either the making or business administration areas.
In direct contrast to the global fashion industry and its demand for cheap and trafficked labor, this unique community workforce development model provides our resource library of reclaimed textiles at no cost to candidates while they are taught skills to professionally create sustainable products. In addition our underserved entrepreneurs will receive financial support; five weeks of professional training and personal financial counseling sessions (focused on increasing savings, decreasing debt and restoring credit).
“The global garment industry is responsible for some of the planet’s largest environmental and social injustices - not least of which is its enormous impact on the lives of its exploited workforce. Rebuilding an industry that will care about People and Planet before Profit, is essential to its rebirth – and doing so at a community level is paramount” Sarah-Jayne Smith, Founder/CEO, M&Ps
Many clients of the MAKR Collective program are engaged in case management with partner agencies in order to provide a surrounding support ecosystem. Clients consist of marginalized people who identify as female, male and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Benefits to our MAKR Collective Participants
• Gain valuable skills for employment throughout the fashion, art, design manufacturing and barista cafe industries. Collections of their hand crafted items are featured in-store, on line and at M&Ps stockists.
• Skills taught based on interest and organic skillset. Previous skillsets or experience not required either in the making or warehouse and retail areas tracks.
How YOUR support dollars help!
It costs $2200 per participant in the MAKR Collective program. This cost goes a long one way in making a major transformation in a MAKR Collective participant’s life. Your donation greatly helps us build a steady sustainable financially independent future for our trainees and we truly appreciate the support. You can donate to this program directly via our donation button or clicking on our Amazon Smile Wish List to see the resources needed to keep the program going. Here are a few of the things that are covered within the $2200 per participant:
Sewing machines for each MAKR Collective participant
Sewing table stations for each MAKR Collective participant
Sewing tool kits and reference sewing book each MAKR Collective participant
Tech equipment and access to tech training for the MAKR Collective program
Stipends for each participant and fees for our multi-language sewing instructors
Starting salaries for our makers, retail associates and baristas who graduate from the MAKR Collective program
Needed food and beverage consumables for MAKR Collective participants who often have a history of food and necessity insecurities
Advanced sewing retail and barista cafe training and equipment for continued education
For further information email us at: info@magpiesandpeacocks
The MAKR Collective is supported in part by kind donations from: