Technical skill development is need of the hour

Technical skill development, research and development are immediately needed for the textile sector. The Indian textile sector is keen to diversify and is looking for ways forward to enhance its value.

The motto of the Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences in Peenya, Bengaluru is ”Applied Brilliance Makes all the Difference.” Situated in the Peenya Industrial Estate that has about 900 garment units, it is a perfect fit that the university offers programs in industrial design and textile fashion design. Some of leading names in the sector that are housed in the area include Gokaldas Exports, Gemini Finishing Mill, Sonal Exports, Shahi Exports, Texport Oversees, etc.

The department of fashion design is focusing on institute-industry interaction with skill development activities such as a 45-day programme on sewing for training workforce with less formal education such as those with just 5th grade, states Dr Mamatha Hegde, head of the department of fashion design. With the support of central and state governments, training programmes for shopfloor technicians in the garment industry such as fabric quality evaluation, garment manufacturing basics, shop floor management that includes occupational safety are planned.

Recently a few garment units have closed due to lack of exports and labor issues states, Mamatha Hegde. This necessitates the need for new product development to enhance the textile sector, added Hegde.

Training textile industry workforce at shop floor and research levels is the need of the hour. This aspect has been aptly handled by the current Modi Government by launching the “Skill India,” campaign to train industrial workforce in different fields. Industry will benefit if skills for marketing and project management are also imparted. By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA