India's textile and apparel industry will need 14 million additional skilled workers over the next decade to fully capitalise on expanding domestic and global opportunities, according to a report citing industry estimates released on Thursday, 23 July. The findings were presented at a workshop organised by the Apparel, Made-Ups & Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMHSSC) in New Delhi, bringing together exporters, manufacturers, training partners, and policymakers.

Current Employment and Growth Projections

The sector currently employs nearly 46 million people, making it the second-largest employer in India after agriculture, according to industry leaders at the event. Government and industry projections estimate that total employment in the sector could rise to approximately 60 million by 2030.

India's apparel market is projected to reach $130–150 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10–12 per cent. The report attributes this surge to consumers increasingly seeking differentiated products across multiple occasions, with greater emphasis on fashion trends and value.

What Government and Industry Leaders Said

Manisha Sensarma, Senior Economic Advisor at the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, stressed the need for stronger public-private partnerships to build a globally competitive workforce. 'Industry must play a central role in identifying skill requirements, developing curriculum, establishing Centres of Excellence, upgrading ITIs through the PM SETU initiative, and shaping a flexible skilling ecosystem that responds to changing market demands,' she said. Sensarma also underlined that continuous upskilling in AI and emerging technologies will be essential to enhance productivity and competitiveness.

Premal Udani, Chairman of AMHSSC, noted that new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are creating fresh export opportunities, driving up demand for skilled workers. 'Our industry consultations and Skill Gap Study will help align skilling efforts with industry needs, ensuring a steady pipeline of productive and job-ready talent,' Udani said.

Ashish Srivastava, CEO of AMHSSC, highlighted the India-UK Free Trade Agreement as a significant milestone for the sector, opening new export avenues and strengthening the global competitiveness of Indian manufacturers.

The Skills Gap Challenge

The workshop underscored a structural challenge: while the sector is on a strong growth trajectory, the pipeline of trained, industry-ready workers has not kept pace. Participants deliberated on aligning skilling programmes with the rapidly evolving demands of India's textile and apparel ecosystem.

This comes amid broader national efforts to position India as a global manufacturing hub, with the textile sector seen as a key pillar given its labour-intensive nature and export potential. Notably, India's apparel exports have faced competitive pressure from Bangladesh and Vietnam in recent years, making workforce quality a strategic differentiator.

What Happens Next

The AMHSSC's Skill Gap Study is expected to serve as a blueprint for aligning training programmes with emerging industry requirements. Policymakers indicated that the PM SETU initiative will be central to upgrading Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to meet sector-specific needs. The coming months are likely to see intensified coordination between government ministries and industry bodies to build the talent pipeline required to hit the 60-million employment target by 2030.