Textile Industry Need To Add 14 Million Skilled Jobs By 2030, Says AMHSSC

New Delhi, Jul 24 (KNN) India's textile and apparel industry will require nearly 14 million additional skilled workers by 2030 to meet rising domestic and global demand, industry leaders and policymakers said at an industry consultation workshop organised by the Apparel, Made-Ups & Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMHSSC) in New Delhi.

The workshop brought together representatives from government, industry, exporters, manufacturers and training institutions to discuss future skill requirements for the country's textile and apparel ecosystem.

Government Calls for Industry-Led Skill Development

Addressing the event, Manisha Sensarma, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between government and industry in identifying skill requirements, developing curricula, establishing Centres of Excellence and upgrading Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) under the PM SETU initiative.

She said continuous upskilling in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies will be essential to improve productivity and global competitiveness.

The sector currently employs around 46 million people, with employment projected to increase to nearly 60 million by 2030. The domestic apparel market is also expected to grow to USD 130-150 billion by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10-12 per cent.

Industry Highlights Need for Job-Ready Workforce

AMHSSC Chairman Premal Udani said the apparel industry, India's second-largest employer after agriculture, is expected to witness higher demand for skilled workers with new Free Trade Agreements creating fresh export opportunities.

Noida Apparel Export Cluster Chairman Lalit Thukral highlighted the need for job-ready workers as manufacturers adopt advanced machinery and higher quality standards, adding that reliable workforce data and stronger industry linkages would be critical for meeting future export demand.

FTA, Bharat Tex to Create New Opportunities

AMHSSC Chief Executive Officer Ashish Srivastava said the India-UK Free Trade Agreement is expected to boost export opportunities and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian textile and apparel manufacturers. 

He added that initiatives such as Bharat Tex 2026 would further strengthen India's position as a global sourcing destination, making industry-aligned skill development essential for sustained growth.

The workshop concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening industry-led skilling initiatives and aligning training programmes with evolving technology and market requirements.

(KNN Bureau)