Madam Ruth, a fashion designer and owner of Ruthie’s Fashion, is calling on parents to give their children pursuing fashion design and dressmaking apprenticeships the same attention, encouragement, and financial support they provide to children attending conventional schools.
According to Madam Ruth, some parents readily provide the materials and resources requested by children in basic and other formal schools but hesitate when their children undertaking fashion apprenticeships ask for the tools and materials needed for their training.
She believes this difference in treatment can make it difficult for young people learning fashion to develop their skills fully and prepare for successful careers.
Her message to parents is simple: fashion education deserves the same respect and support as conventional education.
Parents Should Take Fashion Apprenticeship Seriously
Madam Ruth is concerned that some parents may not fully appreciate the importance of fashion design and dressmaking as career paths.
While parents often make efforts to meet the needs of children attending conventional schools, those learning a trade may not always receive similar support.
Fashion apprentices need materials and practical resources to learn effectively. Depending on their stage of training, these may include fabrics, sewing tools and other items required to practise and improve their skills.
When parents refuse to provide these necessities, apprentices may struggle to participate fully in their training.
Madam Ruth is therefore encouraging parents to recognise that children learning fashion also need investment, guidance and encouragement to succeed.
Fashion Education Is Also a Path to Success
Madam Ruth believes that attending a fashion school or learning under an experienced fashion designer should not be considered less valuable than attending a conventional school.
Both pathways can equip young people with knowledge and skills that can help them build their futures.
While conventional education provides academic knowledge, fashion apprenticeship offers practical training in garment construction, sewing, design, and other aspects of the fashion business.
With dedication, proper training and the necessary resources, young people can use these skills to establish their own businesses and become self-employed.
Fashion apprenticeship is not simply an alternative for young people; it can be a pathway to entrepreneurship, financial independence and job creation.
Supporting Apprentices Today Can Build Independent Business Owners Tomorrow
One of the advantages of fashion training is the opportunity it can provide for graduates to establish their own businesses after completing their apprenticeship.
A trained fashion designer may start by serving customers from a small workshop and gradually expand as the business grows. With experience, the designer may also employ assistants, train apprentices, and contribute to the development of Ghana’s fashion industry.
However, achieving these goals requires commitment from the learner and support from the people around them.
Parents have an important role to play by helping their children obtain essential training materials, encouraging them when they face difficulties, and taking their career choices seriously.
Madam Ruth’s appeal highlights the importance of providing young people with the resources they need to turn their training into practical opportunities.
Parents Must Value Every Form of Education
The discussion also raises a broader question about how society values vocational and practical education.
Not every young person will follow the same educational path, and academic schooling is not the only route to developing a career. Technical and vocational skills can also prepare young people for employment and entrepreneurship.
Parents should therefore avoid making their children feel that learning fashion is less important than attending a conventional school.
Instead, they can encourage their children to take their training seriously, respect their masters, practise regularly and develop the discipline needed to become successful professionals.
Fashion apprentices, in turn, must make good use of the support they receive by remaining committed to learning and improving their craft.
A Call for Greater Parental Support
Madam Ruth of Ruthie’s Fashion is urging parents to reconsider how they support children pursuing fashion design and dressmaking.
Her message is that if parents are willing to provide school materials and other necessities for children in conventional education, they should also make reasonable efforts to provide the essential materials required by their children in fashion apprenticeship.
Giving these learners equal consideration could help them develop their talents, complete their training successfully, and prepare for independent working lives.
As Ghana continues to develop its fashion and garment industry, supporting young people who are learning practical skills is an important part of building a skilled and enterprising workforce.
Have Your Say
Do you think parents give more attention and financial support to children in conventional schools than to those learning fashion design and dressmaking?
What can parents do to help fashion apprentices complete their training and establish successful businesses?
Share your thoughts in the comments. Let us encourage parents and communities to recognise the value of fashion education and support young people as they develop their talents.
Ghana Vogue Event
Ghana Vogue Event continues to highlight the voices, experiences, and concerns of Ghana’s fashion professionals, apprentices, and industry stakeholders. By sharing these stories, we aim to encourage greater appreciation for fashion education and the opportunities it can create for young people.
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