The signing of an MOU between the AIC-NIFTTEA Incubation Centre for Textiles and Apparels and Avinashilingam University, Coimbatore, is the start of a partnership for skill training to improve employability in the knitwear sector.
The 2016-17 Annual Report by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has projected a jump in the workforce employed in textiles & clothing from 18.3 million in 2017 to 25 million in 2022. Similarly, the handloom & handicraft sector will see an increase in employment from 14.1 in 2017 to 18.8 in 2022. The estimated skill training need required in these sectors is 60 lakhs between 2017-2022.
Any commitment to augment skill building capabilities is therefore welcome news. Besides the newly entered MoU, the AIC-NIFTTEA Incubation Centre has already joined hands with the VLB Janakiammal College of Arts and Science to impart skill training in knitwear. Future plans include a partnership with Periyar University and other colleges affiliated with Anna University to build a wide-reaching skill development programme.
“The idea is to absorb students, who are interested to know about the knitwear industry, enhance their employability and train them to come up with innovative ideas to support the industry,” said R Periyasamy, chief executive officer, AIC-NIFTTEA Incubation Centre for Textiles and Apparels. “Before taking in such virtual incubatees, we will conduct boot camps in respective institutions and prepare them to join us, if they are interested.”
The approach is holistic. Candidates will be introduced to various segments of the knitwear sector to throw light on existing technical, management or workforce bottlenecks and their causes. Real-life problem scenarios will be explored, for instance, “the dyeing sector faces the issue of coming up with apt colour recipes, which match to the colour of sample given by buyers. Incubatees will be exposed to such puzzles,” explains Mr. R Periyasamy.
To keep pace with technological advancements in the knitwear sector, the AIC-NIFTTEA Incubation Centre will acquire new equipment such as body mapping sportswear machines, jean knitting, and flat knitting machines. Investing in new technology makes sense to Mr. R Periyasamy. “Students, who pursue textile courses, will be exposed to these machines and trained to come up with innovative ideas. In future, engineering students will be asked to share innovative ideas on smart factory concepts,” he states. There is the further incentive for successful trainees to bring to market their own innovative products to instill a drive for entrepreneurship.
Skill training and employbility
Vocational and skill training in India is largely perceived to be low value with outdated curriculum and training facilities. Efforts made by the AIC-NIFTTEA Incubation Centre to make their training relevant to industry need is commendable not only in filling the skill gap facing the knitwear and textile industries but also in generating enthusiasm among trainee candidates to understand how a well thought out vocational skill can translate into a valuable long-term career option.
In a similar vein, the India Apprenticeship Forum has explored how stakeholders can make vocational education more attractive to improve its perceived low value.
