The bar for workers can be so much higher.
How do we do it better?
-
Fair Wage
We believe that workers should be paid for what we do, not what we own. After shared costs are covered, you receive full profits on what you make.
Our apprentices start at close to 2x the minimum wage while our inhouse craftspeople typically take home 60-70% of our selling price.
-
Worker-Ownership
All co-owners receive an equal vote. Such votes are used to determine co-op decisions from salary structure to work conditions to capital investments.
You can’t buy ownership. At FRIENDS, ownership is earned by sweat labour. Any employee who has worked for more than a year is eligible to be a co-owner.
-
Independent Workers
The coop’s purpose is to create accessible training and employment for craftspeople, so that they have financial and political autonomy.
We believe that developing and sharing skills benefits society as a whole; helping to build resilience against inequality and political-environmental shocks.
Roles to be involved
-
Full time employees who have worked for the Coop for at least 1 year may apply to be a co-owner. This decision is subject to the vote of the team.
Co-owners may vote on leadership, receive a democratically determined share of profits, and take responsibility for steering the coop. -
Professionals are full time craftspeople (minimum 20 hr/wk) who prefer the security of a flat salary, and just want to make without all the sales, management, and liability.
This position is normally reserved for apprentices who graduate under us, but we will also accept experienced makers.
Professionals must apply to work under a specific Maker-Owner.
-
[Coming soon] Best for independent makers and serious craft hobbyists, independent studio members rent a designated space and may receive commercial benefits such as lower firing rates, distribution services, and 24/7 access.
-
Apprenticeship is for new makers seeking tutelage under a Co-Owner. Apprentices will be trained to build house-products and support the works of their respective Co-Owner. This is a one year full time commitment towards professional work.
Apprentices typically start at RM2500 salary.
-
Recreational members are those who simply want to use our shared workshop and equipment.
Recreational members are entitled to free introductory classes and unlimited access of the workshop during all normal working hours. The FRIENDS co-op can support in procurement of materials.
Recreational membership is RM175 per month. As a community-centred organisation, not only is our pricing less than half of other makerspaces, but this money is reinvested into purchasing more communal tools and facilities.
Careers at Friends Craft Coop
The People
The Friends Craft Cooperative is a mutually supporting community of crafters who believe knowledge should be shared freely. After all, if a craft truly requires skill, it will require many years of practice to learn.
The best way to learn and generate new ideas is through working with one another.