Textile, apparel industry to create 14 million jobs over next decade: Report
New Delhi, July 23
India's textile and apparel industry will require 14 million additional skilled workers over the coming decade to fully capitalise on emerging domestic and global opportunities, a report said on Thursday citing industry estimates.
India's textile and apparel sector currently provides employment to nearly 46 million people. Government and industry projections estimate that employment could rise to around 60 million by 2030, industry leaders and policymakers said at a workshop organised by the Apparel, Made-Ups & Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMHSSC).
India's apparel market is projected to reach $130-150 billion by 2030, growing at a 10-12 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the statement said.
The surge is driven by consumers increasingly seeking differentiated products across multiple occasions and placing greater emphasis on fashion trends and value.
The event brought together industry leaders, exporters, manufacturers, training partners and policymakers to deliberate on the future skill requirements of India's rapidly evolving textile and apparel ecosystem.
Manisha Sensarma, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said that the future of India's workforce depends on stronger partnerships between government and industry.
"Industry must play a central role in identifying skill requirements, developing curriculum, establishing Centres of Excellence, upgrading ITIs through the PM SETU initiative, and shaping a flexible skilling ecosystem that responds to changing market demands," she said.
She emphasised public-private collaboration to create a workforce that is globally competitive and industry-ready. Continuous upskilling in AI and emerging technologies will be essential to enhance productivity and competitiveness, she added.
Premal Udani, Chairman, AMHSSC said the apparel sector is India's second-largest employer after agriculture, and with new Free Trade Agreements creating fresh opportunities, the demand for skilled workers is set to rise significantly.
"Our industry consultations and Skill Gap Study will help align skilling efforts with industry needs, ensuring a steady pipeline of productive and job-ready talent," Udani added.
Ashish Srivastava, CEO, AMHSSC, mentioned the India-UK Free Trade Agreement as a significant milestone for India's textile and apparel industry, opening new export opportunities and enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian manufacturers.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone working in this industry, I can say the potential is huge! 🇮🇳 But we need to address issues like automation and upskilling existing workers. The India-UK FTA is a great step, but we also need to compete with Bangladesh and Vietnam. Skill development in AI for textile design is the way forward.
Good news, but I'm cautiously optimistic. The report talks about 60 million jobs by 2030, but what about the quality of these jobs? Many workers in this sector still face low wages, long hours, and poor safety. We need a holistic approach - skill development along with better labour laws and social security. Otherwise, these numbers are just statistics.
Interesting read! As someone from the UK, I'm glad to see the India-UK FTA creating opportunities. But Indian textile exporters must ensure they meet international standards for sustainability and ethical production. That's where the real value addition lies. Good luck to all the workers and entrepreneurs!
This is great for our economy! But I'm concerned about the skilling part - our ITIs and training centres often lack modern equipment. We need more private sector involvement in setting up training facilities. Also, why isn't there more focus on sustainable textiles? That's where the global market is heading.
Honestly, I'm a bit skeptical. Similar promises were made for 'Make in India' and 'Skill India' but ground reality is different. Many textile workers in my hometown still don't have job security or proper benefits. Numbers are fine, but
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