Trained artisans of The Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) programme onboarded about a year ago on the digital platform, myhandwork.ng, have praised the impact the platform has made on their businesses in the last twelve months.

Powered by Research Links and Nerdzfactory in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the artisan shared their testimonies at a recent mini-workshop at Ogba, Lagos.

The workshop provided hands-on training for artisans on how to effectively expand their digital reach. Mercy Okundaye, a lady in the business of shoe-making, said: “The training over the last year has stirred up my creativity in shoemaking to a level I never imagined.

“Before my business was added to the platform, they taught us so many things about dealing with customers, how to handle our apprentices, how to run our businesses digitally, how to advertise our products online, and many other different things that will help our business grow..

Also, Reginald Effiong, a designer and bead maker said: “Now I know how to close huge sales daily. If I had not come in contact with myhandwork, advertising my products on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms would have remained a mystery. I am almost a social media expert today.”

On her part, Tina Okafor, a caterer in Oke-ira, stated that: ‘I can now make my food, snap it, post it, and people will start asking for it.
Commenting on the programme’s success, , the Coordinator of the project, Eme Young said: “Artisans across the country would soon realise that they need our platform. All trades can be handled by the website. They just need to sign up, get trained before they can showcase their trade or services to prospective customers. It is always a win-win situation for all involved.

“We are looking forward to a larger number of applicants when we flag off the second cohort