This year, summer holidays became not only a time of rest and relaxation for students of the Faculty of Arts and Fashion, but also an opportunity to acquire new knowledge. Thus, first-level (bachelor) degree students majoring in G15 “Light Industry Technologies” Alevtina Liubimova (Group BSHM-22), Yulia Kushniruk (Group BSH-21), Yulia Kliuchevska (Group BSHM-21), Arina Alekseieva (Group BIMd1-23) took part in a unique special course “Technologist of Garment Production”. The course was organised by Softorg, a stakeholder and long-term partner of KNUTD, as part of the project “Emergency Assistance for the Employment of People with Disabilities Using 3D Printing Technology in Ukraine”, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) with the support of the Government of Japan.
From 16 June to 18 July 2025, the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv hosted and conducted five intensive 5-day training sessions as part of a special course, with a total of 50 participants.
These participants included both experienced technologists with extensive backgrounds in Ukrainian garment factories and students from various educational institutions.
The course was developed and conducted by Olesia Kalinych, a leading technologist at Softorg, who has over 23 years of experience working in Ukrainian garment factories and has collaborated with more than 150 manufacturers in Ukraine, India, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and other countries. Since 2025, Ms. Kalinych has also been involved in teaching specialised subjects at the Department of Fashion and Style, where she serves as a practice-oriented lecturer in G15 “Light Industry Technologies” at KNUTD.
At the initiative of Softorg, the first 3-day express course, “Technologist of Garment Production”, was held from 22 to 24 January 2025 at KNUTD. It brought together 20 technologists and academic staff members of the university. Participants acquired new knowledge and practical skills, which they have since applied successfully in their professional work. The express course received highly positive feedback and served as the impetus for launching comprehensive training streams aimed at enhancing the professional competencies of technologists across Ukraine.
The five-day course focused on enhancing technological processes, from the experimental workshop through to the cutting and sewing workshops. Particular attention was given to the detailed preparation of production for the launch of new models. Together with Olesia Kalinych, participants explored the specifics of creating technological documentation, including the technological sequence of operations and the division of labour. The course also emphasised methods for optimising production flows, such as reducing downtime, ensuring proper load distribution, and balancing workshop operations.
The groups were mixed, comprising both experienced technologists and those just beginning their careers in the profession. The first two days were primarily theoretical, focusing on the general structure of garment manufacturing and the corresponding documentation. During the remaining three days, the trainer guided participants through practical tasks, including the development of technological processing sequences (TPS) and labour distribution schemes. Trainees eagerly absorbed the expertise shared by practising technologists, particularly in determining time standards and grading, which often sparked engaging and insightful discussions. Significant attention was also devoted to calculating material flow rates, determining wages, and estimating production time for garment batches.
Olesia Kalinych delivered the material with clarity and expertise, actively engaging all participants. She adopted a round-table discussion format to encourage interaction and exchange of ideas. As a result, participants left the course equipped not only with practical knowledge but also with the motivation to implement TPS in their own production environments and to optimise workflow and costs.
The certificates were presented by Eduardo Moreira, international project coordinator at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), and course trainer Olesia Kalinych.
The participants of the special course “Technologist of Garment Production” express their sincere gratitude to Softorg for organising and conducting the training, to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for its valuable support and cooperation, and to trainer Olesia Kalinych for the opportunity to enhance their professional skills. This initiative plays a vital role in supporting the development of Ukrainian industry during the war and throughout the post-war recovery period.
04.08.2025
