The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has said it is planning to set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) with the support of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) for training of manpower of skilled and semi-skilled work force as well as those at supervisory and managerial levels.
CITI is of the view that the emerging new technologies in production of textiles and clothing require knowledge-based skilled manpower. According to CITI, employment in the textiles sector is projected to grow to a total of over 45 million by 2011-12, which means that an additional 12 million jobs could be created, including 7 million in supporting and auxiliary services.
Shishir Jaipuria, chairman, CITI said, ?Textile and clothing industry has been facing an acute shortage of skilled workforce ever since the sector initiated massive modernisation and scaled up production facilities to meet global demand. Important schemes and measures have recently been initiated in the National Skill Development Corporation for the entire manufacturing and service industries and by the ministry of textiles specifically for the textiles sector.?
DK Nair, secretary general, CITI said, ?There is a need for skilled workforce as going by the current growth trend in India, textile and clothing industry has to add huge capacities to meet the growing demand. Some estimates show that India’s current domestic consumption of textile and apparel is around $40 billion which is growing at a rate of 7% per year and is going to reach $200 billion over the next 25 years. India’s exports are expected to grow to $125 billion from the current level of $22 billion by 2035. The current manufacturing capacities cannot meet the unprecedented growth in the demand and therefore the industry needs mega investments and skilled workforce.?
Talking about Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS), Nair said sanctioning of fresh projects under TUFS continue to be under suspension, hampering the efforts of the industry for modernisation and capacity building. ?CITI is actively pursuing this with government and we hope that the scheme will be back on rails by December 2010,? said Nair.