KUCHING - The stigma of vocational studies being the choice for failures may no longer be applicable as it provides better job prospects today.

The increasing demand for essential skills these days has seen vocational studies becoming chic, fashionable and cool.

Two years ago, the International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (ICATS) started exploring fashion designing and boutique management, an area which has produced local fashion designers like Tom Abang Saufi and Datuk Bernard Chandran.

"We have 50 students who will complete their studies by next year. And we are proud to say that they are enthusiastic in fashion designing," Women's Dress Making programme coordinator Hamidah Dolhan told the New Straits Times.

Though the materials are mostly outsourced, the students have to come up with interesting modern designs based on the traditional baju kurung, kebayas and batik shirts.

"Our students are first trained to sew, then slowly they upgrade into designing their own work. Some of what we have today are the result of their own creative expressions," said Hamidah.

In February, ICATS invested in a batik boutique, souvenir and crafts outlet store called Prestige at the Old Court House, which aims to promote the students work.

Prestige operations executive Abdul Razak Mohamad Ali said the boutique was a good platform for students to display their work and also an excellent experience in terms of managing their own outlet.

"We have had a good response having only opened for five months. The students run the boutique while their work is appreciated," said Razak.

Though Razak admits that most of the items on display may not really reflect Sarawak's own products, especially the souvenirs and batik, he "expects the boutique to be fully Sarawak by year end".

"At the moment, most of our souvenirs are the miniature kris, the Petronas Twin Towers and others, which are generally peninsula Malaysia. We will come up with Sarawak souvenirs like the new State Legislative Assembly building and other items that can only be found in Sarawak."

On Saturday, the Sarawak Skills Development Centre and ICATS held its inaugural carnival at the Old Court House to showcase the benefits of skill-based training.

PPKS executive director Baharudin Abdullah said skill-based training and education was now a good choice.

"Everyone has their own talent and through this form of education they will harness their true potential," said Baharudin.