Hela extends globally-recognised P.A.C.E. programme to Egypt

Moments from graduation ceremony

Hela Apparel Holdings successfully concluded its first P.A.C.E. graduation at its manufacturing facility in Egypt recently, making the company the first apparel manufacturer to implement the globally-recognised employee empowerment initiative in the country. 

The ceremony certified 28 Egyptian team members as the first batch to be trained under the Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement (P.A.C.E.) programme, along with 13 Egyptian trainers under the P.A.C.E. Train the Trainer programme. 

This achievement marks a landmark expansion of this global initiative, with the support of one of Hela’s strategic customers PVH Corp, the owning company of leading global brands including Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.   P.A.C.E. is a foundational life skill training programme designed to improve skills such as communication, problem-solving and decision-making, time and stress management, legal and financial literacy, general and reproductive health and water, sanitation and hygiene among female apparel workers. As a social capital-focused company, Hela aims to provide all team members across its global footprint with access to the P.A.C.E. programme. This ensures that they have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills, strengthening their confidence levels while embedding equality and inclusivity across the group. 

“The establishment of Hela’s first manufacturing facility in Egypt earlier this year was a key milestone for the company and I’m extremely pleased we were able to roll out the P.A.C.E. programme within just a few months. We’ve been impressed by the enthusiasm for the initiative among our Egyptian team members and seeing how the participants have developed their knowledge and skills through the programme brings me immense pride. As a social capital-focused company, we believe in equal opportunities and access to resources for all employees across the group. I take this opportunity to congratulate all 28 P.A.C.E. graduates and certified trainers on their achievement,” said Hela Kids Wear CEO Sanath Amaratunga.   The programme was initiated in Egypt on April 16, 2022 and implemented through a combination of practical and theoretical sessions, making learning more interactive and enjoyable for those involved. The continuous guidance from PVH on the programme also helped to ensure that the trainers adapted their methods to the local cultural context and added value to each individual, helping them grow in knowledge and understanding.

A representative from PVH Corp also joined the celebration virtually and shared his comments, “We wish to thank the management of Hela and the trainers for a job well done. This is a wonderful moment for both parties and we are extremely proud of this achievement.