DEVELOPING THE UMKM COMPETENCE AS AN EFFORT TO EMPOWER UMKM GARMENT POLUKIDS

Abstract

Empowering UMKM (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) is a crucial endeavor to support local economic growth and industrial development. Binus University has successfully implemented an empowerment program for the UMKM garment brand, Polu Kids, focusing on children's and teenagers' clothing. This program was conducted from May to September 2023 and involved a team of faculty members from Binus University's School of Computing & Creative Art and Business. The program comprised several stages, including the introduction to fabrics and materials, understanding industry trends, sewing training, creating simple children's fashion designs, and collaborative children's clothing design between the faculty team and Polu Kids. Through observations and interviews with the owner of Polu Kids, Ms. Okta, and her team, positive outcomes were identified. The results of this program include an improvement in knowledge about textiles and the garment industry, a better understanding of trends, enhanced sewing skills, improved abilities in designing children's clothing, and the creation of innovative design products. This empowerment program has created opportunities for Polu Kids to enhance the quality of their products and compete in an increasingly competitive market. In conclusion, this empowerment program provides significant benefits to the UMKM garment Polu Kids and supports the overall growth of the children's and teenagers' garment industry. This program also underscores the importance of collaboration between higher education institutions and the business sector in enhancing the capabilities of local UMKMs.