In style

The textile and clothing (T&C) sector is the largest employment provider after agriculture, and currently employs over 45 million people in India.

"The readymade garment sector has accorded the steepest increase of adding about six million people in recent times and currently employs over 12 million people," says Rahul Mehta, vice-chairman, Institute of Apparel Management (IAM). The mainstream textile and clothing sector thus has the potential to employ around 17-20 million people (incrementally, by 2022, there should be 17 million jobs in textiles and clothing as also 9.34 million engineers, diploma holders, vocationally trained, other graduates, etc). Out of the total requirement, there is an employment possibility of 10 million people in the apparel sector alone.

"Garments are the final link in a chain that starts from fibres. Consequently, it adds maximum value and has the potential to create jobs. In fact, the apparel industry is the second largest employment provider. Studies indicate that rupees one crore of exports of apparel creates 85 jobs, which include 32 tailors, 32 inline personnel and 21 indirect jobs for designers, merchandisers, quality controllers, junior and middle level managers, etc. With an investment of a crore rupees in an apparel manufacturing factory, 500 direct and 200 indirect jobs are created. The apparel sector is estimated to employ over seven million workers directly and 25 million indirectly, of which 50% are in the export sector," says Darlie Koshy, DG & CEO, IAM & ATDC.

Estimates by experts confirm that an investment of rupees one crore in the apparel industry results in setting up an industry with 200-250 machines, 275 direct jobs and about 125 indirect jobs. IAM's placements held from January 17-20 further asserted the industry demand for skilled graduates, with more than 25 leading fashion companies participating in the placement week. Students have been placed in fashion sectors including exports, retail, brands, design houses and e-Commerce ventures. For details, call 9650011426 or email to admissions@iamindia.in