Skill training to textile workers to boost productivity, competiveness in global market, says industry

By

Maverick Martins

Published
Dec 22, 2017

​The Government’s recently introduced Rs 1300 crore (approx $203 million) textile scheme that aims to create skill development programmes to create workforce has been hailed by the industry stating the move will boost productivity and help the sector compete in global markets.
 

The Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS) was approved by the Indian government on December 20. The objectives of the scheme are to provide demand driven, placement oriented skilling programme to incentivise the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organised textile and related sectors.
 
"The new textile scheme will enhance the productivity and much needed competitiveness could be achieved for sustaining in the global market,” said Raja M Shanmugham, President, Tirupur Exporters' Association in a statement.

"Most of the labourers in the cluster are self-groomed without any proper technical skill orientation or training. This has brought in inconsistency in production and quality parameters. This void can now be addressed effectively," he added.
 
Commenting on SCBTS, P Nataraj, Chairman, Southern India Mills' Association (SIMA) said, “The textile industry requires training of workforce on a scientific basis and constant upgradation of skills to sustain in the global market”.
 
“The Indian textile industry has been lagging in productivity. Countries like China, Bangladesh and Vietnam have surpassed us in productivity. This new scheme therefore would enable the industry to adopt scientific principles for upgrading the skills of the employees and achieve higher productivity,” Nataraj added.
 
Around 10 lakh people are expected to be skilled and certified in various segments of textile sector through the scheme, out of which 1 lakh will be in traditional sectors.