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Embroiderer Facing Difficulty Passing on Skills

In Pudong, China, Cao Qineng works as the male at an embroidery store. More than 20 workers are employed at the shop in Sanlin Town, and he spends most of his time, while looking for someone to pass his skills on to.

Qineng is 45 years old, and only joined the store two years ago, but has enjoyed embroidery since childhood. His grandmother and mother both embroidered at home, and he soon followed their example. “It is hard for me not to master embroidery in such an environment," he said.

Now, Qineng wants to carry on the family business, by finding someone to pass his skills on to. He has also been busy designing new patterns and writing courses to teach embroidery to amateurs.

Qineng doesn’t have many leisure activities, but says he likes to embroider for a couple of hours every evening with his wife. Embroidery is a difficult craft, and Qineng can take 4 to 5 days to embroider a scarf. Some larger designs can take a group of workers several months to create.

Family influence is very important to Qineng. His wife, Wan Weifen, under his influence, embroiders in her spare time. Qineng is the fifth generation of skilled embroiderers in his family, and sees it as his place to pass the skills down.

Qineng feels that the skills should be passed generation to generation, but is finding that it is easier said than done, "But I'm afraid it is more and more difficult to realize my dream," he said.

The other workers at the store where he works are middle-aged women, and it seems young people have no interest in embroidery. His son is happy to embroider for fun occasionally, but is not interested in an embroidery career.

Qineng could have a lot of difficulty finding a young man to pass his skills on to. Most young men are only interested in office work, and would not want to work in a small store or factory.