The Challenge
SHIMMY, an ed-tech company, set out to upskill 3,000 women in Bangladesh who were seeking employment as machine operators in the fashion industry. Their challenge was to design a solution that not only addressed immediate skill gaps but also anticipated future job requirements, all while ensuring the approach was culturally appropriate and accessible.
The Process
To achieve this, the team conducted on-site interviews with workers to gain a deep understanding of their real learning environments. They used journey mapping to pinpoint gaps and opportunities within the existing learning experience, and held co-creation sessions with local trainers to guarantee cultural relevance. The resulting multi-modal design was tailored to accommodate a variety of learning settings, ensuring flexibility and accessibility.
The Outcome
Our work resulted in a comprehensive learner journey framework that integrated mobile devices, local training centers, and in-factory learning contexts. SHIMMY also developed a “Train the Trainer” playbook, empowering local leaders to deliver content effectively, and created a microcourse prototype to demonstrate accessible skill development. Additionally, a research methodology was established to enable ongoing data collection by local teams. Through these efforts, 3,000 factory workers were successfully upskilled, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the evolving fashion industry.
