The target of 40 billion RMG exports by 2030 is possible by infusion of capital, machinery and skilling: Rohit Kansal, Addl Secretary, Ministry of Textiles
·         Soft skills equally important as technical skills
·         ATDC should expand its footprint for training the global workforce
·         ATDC awards degree to students on its 33^rd Foundation Day
17^th March 2024, New Delhi/ Gurugram: The Apparel Training & Design Centre (ATDC) in its 33^rd foundation day organized distribution of degrees to its students of Bachelor of Vocation (BVoc) degree course.  In this function held at Apparel House. Shri Rohit Kansal, Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Textiles was the Chief Guest. Shri Kansal said, “Today soft skills are as important as technical skills and I am happy that ATDC programmes are focussing on both.”

Further Shri Kansal said, “We often talk about unemployment and unemployability… There are jobs available but aspiring young people are unable to get it as they often do not fit to the industry’s demand. This mismatch is called the skill gap, I congratulate AEPC & ATDC for bridging this gap by giving training on the requirements of the industry. This is a very happy confluence where industry itself is training for its need by imparting skill. ATDC training success models can be expanded for training workers at global scale by signing MoUs with other countries, he added.

On the textiles export Shri Kansal remarked, “The global market is trillion dollar and so even when we reach 100 billion of textiles exports, we will be only 10% of total textiles trade.  From that perspective the target 40 billion seems to be eminently achievable. We need to focus on capital, machinery and skills to achieve this goal.”

Shri Rohit Kansal, Chief Guest gave away the BVoc Degrees to candidates.  ATDC’s BVoc Degree programme is a job-oriented programme.  These students already have wage employment in various top garment manufacturing and exporting factories in positions like Merchandiser, Designer, Production Manager, Quality Assurance, Production Executive etc.

On this occasion, Shri Rohit Kansal also felicitated the stakeholders like Marks & Spencer, P.A.C.E. Community, Gap Inc., GIS Pvt. Ltd. Delhi, Gap-IT Service Pvt. Ltd., NBCFDC, NSKFDC, NSFDC, Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd., Pearl Global Industries, who have partnered with ATDC in skill vocational training. 

In his address, Shri Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman, AEPC thanked Shri Rohit Kansal for sparing his valuable time to give away degrees. He expressed his appreciation for the students of ATDC who have completed their Bachelor of Vocation in the year 2022 and are working in various capacities in garment units. ATDC’s degree programmes which were started in the year 2015 have gained momentum.  By and large, 10% of ATDC candidates start their own manufacturing set-up, around 8% pursue further studies and balance 82% go for employment in the industry.

Chairman, AEPC thanked Shri Rakesh Vaid, Sr. Vice-Chairman, ATDC for his hard work of providing skilled manpower to garment export industry and also thanked the entire Board of Governors of ATDC, Apparel Brands and stakeholders for their support.

In his address Shri Rakesh Vaid, Sr. Vice-Chairman, ATDC first of all thanked the government for continuous support which led to the growth of ATDC.  “I acknowledge support from Marks & Spencer, REC, HCL, GAP Inc. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, New Times Fashion, NABARD and others who have provided support under CSR to provide skilled manpower to the industry.” Shri Vaid observed.
 
Shri Vijay Mathur, Director General & CEO, ATDC in his welcome address revealed the ATDC’s journey since its inception in 1991.   He welcomed the members of the Board of Governors, dignitaries from the Ministry of Textiles, stakeholders, members from the trade and ATDC students.

A Fashion Show was also conducted by the ATDC Students.  The theme of the fashion show was inspired by the address of Hon’ble Prime Minister during inauguration of Bharat-Tex 2024 held during February, 2024.  ATDC students used Gypsy prints on Khadi, stitched garments themselves and did the modelling themselves.