India’s textile industry is not just about fabric and fashion; it’s a dynamic sector that offers vast opportunities for skill development and career growth. With a blend of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, the demand for skilled professionals across various segments is higher than ever.
The textile industry plays a vital role in India’s economy, not just through exports, but also by creating a wide range of job opportunities. From traditional handlooms to modern garments, it encompasses a vast ecosystem. However, there’s often confusion about the different segments within the industry.
Dr. Swapna Mishra, CEO of the Textile Sector Skill Council, sheds light on the evolving job roles and skilling opportunities within these sectors, highlighting the importance of both traditional and technical textiles. The discussion further highlighted how institutions, government initiatives, and training programs are adapting to the needs of the modern textile industry, fostering career growth and entrepreneurship, especially in eco-friendly and sustainable textile practices.
Below are a few excerpts from our conversation. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel.
Q. Can you help us understand the distinctions between textiles, apparel, garments, and handlooms, and how they are evolving to create new skilling opportunities?
A. Textiles are a major focus sector for the government, with initiatives like PM MITRA Parks supporting its growth. India is currently the 6th largest exporter in this sector and aims to improve its global position.
There’s often confusion around the terms handicrafts, textiles, and apparel. To clarify:
- Handicrafts involve manual work—for example, knitting a sweater by hand.
- Textiles refer to fabric production using machines. The same sweater, if machine-knitted, falls under textiles.
- Apparel begins when the fabric is stitched into garments.
The textile value chain covers everything from fiber to fabric—starting with raw materials like cotton or silk, and moving through spinning, weaving, dyeing, printing, and finishing. It includes both conventional textiles, used in clothing and furnishings, and technical textiles, which are engineered for specific purposes like fire resistance or waterproofing.
The training landscape also differs:
- Apparel training is often delivered through small centers with basic sewing machines.
- Textile training requires advanced technology and is typically offered by large mills or organized institutions such as Raymond, CRM, or Vardhman.
These distinctions help define the ecosystem and the types of skilling needed in each segment.
Q. What are the emerging job roles in the textile sector across different qualification levels, and how is the industry adapting to new technologies in manufacturing?
A. The textile sector offers a wide range of job roles and career opportunities, accommodating candidates across different qualification levels, from ITI graduates to IIT postgraduates. Educational institutions like IIT Delhi and NIT Jalandhar offer specialized programs in textiles, while fashion and apparel-related training is available at institutes like NIFT.
Core job roles in the textile industry span,
- Production planning
- Raw material sourcing
- Supply chain management
- Quality control
- Machine operation and maintenance
- Shift supervision
Entry-level positions often recruit ITI or diploma holders, while managerial roles are filled by engineering graduates. These roles demand technical skills as well as the ability to manage manpower, machines, and quality standards efficiently—often under demanding work conditions such as standing for long hours or ensuring production targets.
In addition, the sector provides significant opportunities for women and aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly in areas like handloom, power loom, technical textiles, and recycling. There is a growing ecosystem for women-led entrepreneurship, supported by targeted training programs and mentorship. Free online courses, aligned with NSQF, NCrF, and NEP 2020, are being developed to promote skills in areas like handloom entrepreneurship and textile waste management. These are also being embedded into formal education at the ITI, B.Voc, and B.Tech levels.
Government funding and institutional support are available to help individuals start their own enterprises, self-help groups, or producer companies—making the textile sector a viable and inclusive field for both employment and entrepreneurship.
Q. How can the Sector Skill Council support educational institutions in integrating textile-related training or vocational courses into their academic programs under NEP, NCrF, and NSQF?
A. To support educational institutions in integrating textile-related training programs, we begin by reviewing their existing curriculum. Since the textile sector operates across diverse clusters—each with unique characteristics—we consider the local context, the nature of the institutions (whether they focus purely on engineering or combine it with fashion), and the aspirations of the students.
We engage in one-on-one hands-on-training to help design or upgrade their courses, often by replacing outdated content with relevant skill-based modules aligned with current industry needs. We also explore opportunities for on-the-job training (OJT), either through local industries or entrepreneurship-oriented clusters, depending on whether students are local or mobile.
Our approach is collaborative—we work closely with faculty to curate customized programs that are both practical and aligned with frameworks like NEP 2020, NCrF, and NSQF. Institutions interested in this support can connect with us directly, and we’re currently working with several academic and industrial partners on similar initiatives.
Q. How can institutions or individuals approach you for Training of Trainers (ToT) and capacity building support?
A. We definitely extend support for Training of Trainers (ToT) and capacity building. In the textile sector, the quality of trainers, assessors, master trainers, and master assessors is extremely important. We work closely with several Textile Research Associations that have been offering training and mentorship support to the industry for decades. These institutions function as ToT academies for us.
The ToT programs are conducted offline, with practical sessions, as per NSDC standards. For fresh candidates, a 10-day ToT program is mandatory. For those already working in the field, we offer Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which involves an orientation followed by assessments.
In the handloom sector, since there is no structured ToT available in the market, we recommend that trainers undergo the full ToT program. However, if someone has been training for 4 to 5 years and is recognized in their cluster or mill, we also offer orientation and RPL to certify them.
We have both offline and online training and assessment options for ToT. Currently, we have over 4,000 trainers and more than 2,000 assessors in the system, and we welcome anyone interested in getting trained.
Additionally, I regularly address faculty development programs under AICTE, UGC, and other government initiatives. These sessions focus on sensitizing educators about NSQF, NCrF, and NEP 2020, and how to integrate skill-based courses into the academic curriculum.
Q. Can you briefly explain what technical textiles are and where they are commonly used?
A. Traditional textiles are those we use in our daily lives for clothing, home, and décor—primarily for their aesthetic and comfort value. In contrast, technical textiles are specifically designed for their functional properties rather than appearance.
These textiles serve a variety of critical purposes—offering protection, performance, and utility across many sectors. For instance, they are used in:
- Healthcare (e.g., implants, bandages, medical disposables)
- Construction (as reinforcement in buildings, roads, and bridges)
- Defense (fire-resistant, stab-resistant, and high-temperature clothing)
- Automotive and aerospace (lightweight textile composites in aircraft like the RF-16 Falcon and modern vehicles)
- Extreme environments (such as polar regions where breathable yet non-absorbent textiles prevent freezing and health risks)
Technical textiles are part of 12 identified sub-segments, covering nearly every major industry. They’re increasingly replacing traditional materials like metal and steel due to their lightweight, non-conductive, and highly functional nature.
Q. Can short-term skilling programs, such as 6-month courses, be introduced in the textile sector to enhance learning alongside regular academic programs?
A. There are several short-term skilling programs available in the textile sector, ranging from 7.5 hours to 6 months in duration. These programs can be integrated into the school and college education systems, including both technical and non-technical fields. For example, courses are offered for roles like export documentation, accounting, compliance, and supply chain management, in addition to core engineering roles. Some of these courses are also aligned with NSQF and international standards, with opportunities for international mobility to countries like Japan and South Africa. Depending on the specific needs of individuals or institutions, we can recommend appropriate programs.
Q. Is there any message you would like to share with our audience?
A. One important message I would like to share is that our country was once renowned for its textiles. Over time, conventional textiles, particularly craft and traditional textiles, have lost some of their glory. These textiles are created with great skill, love, and attention, but they require time to produce. As the world shifts towards slow textiles, green textiles, and eco-friendly materials that value tradition, I encourage people to support and wear handloom textiles, which embody these qualities. This not only promotes our culture but also aligns with ESG norms and eco-friendly practices. Additionally, I urge individuals to explore careers in textiles because, with the right skills, the possibilities for career growth are limitless.
About Dr. Swapna Mishra, CEO of the Textile Sector Skill Council (TSC)
Dr. Swapna Mishra, is a passionate leader and skill expert with over 30 years of experience in textiles, spanning industry, academics, and skilling. An alumna of IIT Delhi and NIT Jalandhar, she has been instrumental in shaping India’s textile skilling ecosystem—from technical textiles to traditional handlooms. Under her leadership, TSC has certified more than 3.5 lakh candidates across India. She continues to champion skill-based education and sustainable growth in the sector through innovative programs and collaborations. For more, please visit: https://texskill.in/
