Work Together, Walk Together：Explore the Unexplored

Christy and Cheuk-leung are persons with hearing impairment. Even though they have tertiary education qualifications, their job hunting journeys were still full of ups and downs – they either got laid off or failed to find a suitable job. They enrolled in a 3D drafting course when they were between jobs, hoping that they could learn a skill. Thanks to the course, both of them got a job opportunity and became 3D draftsmen.

Mars, the boss of Christy and Cheuk-leung, is the director of a product development company. Mars learned the ideas behind social enterprises from a radio programme and got inspired. He hopes to set up his own social enterprise, which can make money and contribute to society at the same time. One of the important procedures of product development is that 3D draftsmen turn 2D graphic designs into 3D ones. In recent years, there has been a gradual growth in the demand for 3D drafting skills from different sectors and industries, resulting in demand for such talents exceeding supply. Besides, the costs incurred by Mars’ factory in Shenzhen keep on increasing, so that Mars came up with the idea of training local deaf persons to become 3D draftsmen.

Mars collaborates with social welfare organisations and uses courses that provide job opportunities as the selling point. Through the courses, they provide 3D drafting training to deaf persons and persons with hearing impairment. Graduation exhibitions are also organised for the students to showcase their own works in the sector’s exhibitions.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has given a blow to Mars’ business, Mars is even more resolute in continuing to organise the new 3D drafting course. But business is business, what Mars has done seems to be an irrational investment which requires too much devotion. Yet, what he sees are even greater returns.