For almost six years Partners In Aid has funded a Technical Training Program (TTIS) in partnership with Symbiosis in Bangladesh. The TTIS project provides sewing training, with women forming the majority of community members who have received training.

In its first few years of operation the project concentrated on the cutting out, designing and sewing of 36 basic designs that were useable in the average Bangladeshi home. The training has extended to now include embroidery and skills applicable to the garments industry in Bangladesh and more recently, a training course in hair dressing and beauty treatment. This growth has seen the project expand in the last three years from the initial two main centres to include four main centres and at least three mobile centres.

Through this project hundreds of people have learnt to sew, beauty treatment or hairdressing skills. The skills gained have has enable women and some men from poor marginalized communities to gain a skill with which to earn an income, helped some participants to find employment directly or to do piece work from home, and have given all participants the skills requited to make clothes for the family, a direct contribution to their family finances. Many have been helped with loans to purchase sewing machines.

This small project has brought not only practical income earning skills to many women, but also a sense of dignity and self worth to people who would not have had a chance at learning any skill.