XU Chen-Lin and her husband have launched a handmade leather goods brand, DUAL, along with its sub-brand, Dualive, and frequently showcase their products at markets on weekends. With support from the Ministry of Labor, entrepreneurship for middle-aged individuals has become a reality! Hailing from Tainan, they have successfully transitioned from the traditional shoe-making industry to establishing their own leather brand. Through the Ministry of Labor’s Workforce Development Agency Yun-Chia-Nan Branch's "Industry Talent Investment Program," Xu has enhanced her skills, not only refining her leather crafting but also ingeniously integrating metalworking techniques into accessory design, creating a new business landscape filled with innovation.

She encourages others to leverage government resources to improve themselves and build a solid foundation for realizing their dreams. Young Xu and her husband previously worked in traditional shoe companies, but after marriage they decided to pursue a more flexible lifestyle and their dream of leather crafting by establishing DUAL in 2015. Recalling the hardships of starting their business, Xu noted challenges in getting customers to buy their products, which led her to search online for relevant courses and ultimately find the supportive "Industry Talent Investment Program" from the Yun-Chia-Nan Branch.

She first participated in the "Leather Cutting and Carving Art Creation Class," where she deepened her leather knowledge and gained a comprehensive understanding of the production process. By effectively transforming seemingly ordinary waste materials into unique accessories, she garnered significant positive feedback in the market. Xu continued to refine her skills by signing up for the "Fashion Silver Jewelry Craftsmanship Class," seamlessly integrating metalworking skills into her designs, elevating the professionalism of her work. With the assistance of expert instructors, her design vocabulary expanded and injected fresh vitality into her brand.

Moreover, her classmates in the program represent various industries, fostering valuable networking opportunities and collaborative efforts. The director of the Yun-Chia-Nan Branch, Liu Bang-Dong, highlighted the government's proactive promotion of the "Industry Talent Investment Program" to help employed workers enhance their skills in response to rapidly changing industry trends and regional technological transformations. This year, approximately 140 courses under this program are available, promising to benefit over 3,300 participants. New courses aligned with industry trends, like "AI-assisted Project Management Tools Application Class," "Information Security Awareness and Practice Class," and more, have also been introduced. Interested individuals can visit the Taiwan Employment website for detailed information and registration or call (06) 698-5945 extension 1526 for inquiries.