Skills Development

Skills Development in a changing world of work

In today's rapidly evolving world of work, shaped by technological advances, climate change, globalization, geopolitics and other influencing factors, it is becoming increasingly important to equip workers with the necessary skills.

Skills Development is crucial as it allows individuals to adapt to the changing demands of the workforce and enhance their employability. By acquiring, improving and broadening a range of skills and competencies, individuals can remain competitive in the labor market and take advantage of new opportunities. This process includes various methods such as formal education, training programs, practical experience and self-directed learning.

Relevant Skills Development policies must bridge the gap between the realms of education and training and the dynamic world of work. Collaboration among businesses, workers, government entities, and trainers at local, industry, and national levels is essential to ensure that training programs align with the needs of businesses and labor markets. By investing in skills development, countries, enterprises, and individuals can unlock opportunities for employment, economic advancement, and the building of more inclusive societies.

Keen to find out more about Skills Development? This section provides latest reports, news, data and analysis, events and training on the subject, as well as opportunities to connect with leading organizations and projects dedicated to the topic of Skills Development.

Why is Skills Development crucial for the garment sector?

As the landscape of work in textiles and clothing undergoes rapid and profound changes, Skills Development becomes crucial for the garment sector. Various factors such as technological advancements, climate change, demographic shifts, globalization, and geopolitical dynamics are reshaping the industry.

Impact of Covid-19

Amidst existing challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the need for governments, employers, and workers to prioritize Skills Development for navigating an uncertain future successfully. The garment industry has been severely impacted by the pandemic, resulting in widespread job losses and factory closures. As the industry strives to recover, there's a growing acknowledgment of the necessity to invest in skills development. Recent reports highlight that a majority of industry respondents face difficulties filling positions due to a shortage of skilled workers across various areas, including design and sustainability management.

Addressing Socio-Economic Growth and Improving Decent Work Opportunities

Furthermore, Skills Development is vital not only for industry competitiveness but also for addressing broader socio-economic challenges such as youth unemployment and gender inequality. By investing in skilling, re-skilling, and upskilling initiatives, the garment sector can create opportunities for millions of workers and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

Countries with major textile and clothing industries, including Asian countries, have recognized the importance of skills anticipation and development. Through social dialogue, they aim to equip employers and workers with the necessary skills to enhance sectoral competitiveness and resilience. Despite differing socio-economic contexts, these countries share a common goal of fostering sustainable growth and improving decent work opportunities for millions of workers, the majority of whom are women.

Addressing Gender Issues

Historically, women in the garment sector have faced challenges such as poor working conditions and higher rates of violence and discrimination. Skills Development presents an opportunity to address these issues by ensuring that digital and green production processes benefit both women and men, promoting economic security and equal opportunity.

Skills Development is essential for the garment and textiles sector to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape. By anticipating future skills needs, promoting inclusive development and investing in workforce training, the industry can build resilience, ensure sustainability and promote decent work for all.

Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change and Environmental Degradation

It's crucial to ensure that the RMG sector grows sustainably without harming the environment or wasting resources. This requires raising environmental awareness, fostering relevant skills, and prioritizing energy efficiency, waste-water treatment, and renewable technologies. Investing in green technology not only cuts costs but also attracts international customers. Pressure from fashion brands is driving the industry towards sustainability; many factories are already adopting green practices and gaining environmental certifications.

What are the key challenges in promoting skills in the textile and garment sector?

The garment and textiles sector faces significant challenges in promoting skills, driven by factors like demographics, climate change, globalization, and technological advancements. As the industry aims to recover and advance, there's a growing recognition of the need for robust Skills Development initiatives tailored to the sector's evolving demands.

A recent survey revealed that 57% of apparel industry respondents globally struggle with a shortage of skilled workers. This gap encompasses design, patternmaking, sustainability, HR, research and development, and soft skills. Reasons include professionals leaving the workforce, inadequate vocational training and a lack of qualified young professionals. Failure to address this gap jeopardizes future employment, growth, and sustainability.

Impact of Shifting Demographics on Consumer Demands

Shifting demographics, including the global population growth and the rise of the middle class, impact consumer preferences and demand. As millions join the middle class annually, the demand for textiles is expected to surge, particularly in regions like Asia and the G7 countries. Investing in future skills is crucial for countries to capitalize on this growing market. In addition, consumer preferences are evolving, with a notable rise in demand for natural materials, second-hand products, and sustainable fashion. This trend necessitates skills to support circular economy approaches and new business models like clothing rental and sharing platforms.

Integration of Skills Development for Business Resilience Post-COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of business resilience and sustainability. Skills development is now integral to discussions on fostering resilience and creating inclusive supply chains in the textile industry, which faces challenges such as ageing workforces and low female workforce participation.

Addressing the Global Youth Employment Crisis in the Textile Sector

Amidst a global youth employment crisis, addressing the skills gap in the textiles and clothing sector becomes paramount. Skilling, re-skilling, and upskilling initiatives are essential for creating decent work opportunities and ensuring productivity. Recognizing skills across countries further enhances the sector's potential for inclusive growth and employment.

Navigating Climate-Related Risks and Opportunities in the garment & textiles sector

Due to climate change, the garment and textiles industry faces challenges in promoting skills, such as extreme heat, pollution, and water scarcity. Skills development is crucial for adapting to these changes and reducing environmental impact. Research highlights current wasteful production methods, with significant water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, a shift towards sustainable practices like organic cotton and water-efficient dyeing is crucial. However, implementing these changes requires skilled workers. Collaboration between governments and industry players is essential to anticipate skill needs, provide training, and ensure decent work in transitioning to more sustainable practices.

Adapting to Changes in Global Textile and Apparel Trade

The garment and textiles sector faces challenges in adapting to fluctuating global trade, especially due to events like COVID-19. While China's textile exports have rebounded, other Asian countries like India and Vietnam remain key players. Regional supply chains are reshaping trade dynamics, with middle-income countries supplying materials to low-income nations for clothing production. Geopolitical changes further highlight the importance of aligning workers' skills with industry needs. Therefore, investing in skills development, alongside political stability and infrastructure improvements, is essential for sustainable growth and decent work opportunities.

Technological Transformation of Textile and Clothing Industries

Advanced technologies such as laser cutting, robotics ("sewbots"), and 3D printing offer enhanced productivity and sustainability but require a new set of skills. Unlike sectors like electronics and automotive, textiles and clothing have been slower to adopt these technologies due to material diversity and cost considerations. The potential impact of automation on jobs is debated, with digitalization expected to reshape the industry profoundly. Additionally, the emergence of new materials like hemp fibers demands new skills from workers. As technology reshapes tasks and job roles, workers must combine digital literacy with traditional and soft skills. Lifelong learning is crucial, and vocational training institutions must adapt to provide relevant education. Supporting workers, particularly women, through these transitions is vital for sustaining a skilled workforce.

What measures can be taken to develop a skilled workforce for the sector?

Strategic Planning: Governments and industry stakeholders should develop comprehensive strategies to understand the future of work in the sector and ensure sustainable and decent employment opportunities.

Investment in Skills Development: Large-scale investment is needed to develop skills in the sector. Initiatives like vocational education and training programs can help equip workers with the necessary skills for the digital revolution, globalization, and climate change.

Capacity Building: Strengthening the capacity of governments, employers, and workers in understanding the skills needed for the industry is crucial. This includes developing gender-responsive skills strategies and enhancing forecasting capabilities.

Tripartite Engagement: Collaboration among governments, employers, workers, and relevant stakeholders is essential for effective skills development. Tripartite consultations can help assess future skills needs and inform policy decisions.

Institutional Support: Strengthening institutional and legal frameworks supporting sector-based approaches to skills development is vital. This includes the establishment of sector skills councils to ensure industry needs are integrated into skills policies and programs.

Promotion of Industry Engagement: Encouraging industry engagement in skills development efforts can address skills mismatches and improve labor productivity. Tripartite dialogues can facilitate the development of legislation supporting skills councils.

Knowledge Sharing: Sharing best practices with other textile-producing countries, particularly focusing on women and youth, can help scale up innovative solutions for skills development. Establishing a regional platform can advocate for the adoption of skills policies and recommendations in the textiles and clothing industry across the region.

What initiatives, projects and organizations are promoting Skills Development?

Project Name: Future of Work in Textile and Clothing: Forecasting and Developing Skills in Viet Nam to Advance Decent Work and Productivity in the Sector

Project Initiator: The International Labour Organization (ILO)

Project Objectives: The "Future of Work in Textile and Clothing" project in Vietnam focuses on developing skills within the garment sector to boost decent work and productivity. It involves key stakeholders like government bodies, industry associations, enterprises, workers, and educational institutions. By addressing future skills needs in the face of challenges like digitalization and the COVID-19 pandemic, the project seeks to bolster Vietnam's ability to adapt to industry changes. Objectives include improving skills strategies, implementation capabilities, and the institutional framework for sector-specific skills development. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 8, the project promotes inclusive economic growth and decent employment, with plans to share insights for broader impact across Asia.

Target Groups: Workers and employers in the textiles and garment industries, and TVET institutions including trainers, trainees and graduates.

Project-related materials & helpful links:

Factsheet - Forecasting and developing skills to advance decent work and productivity in Viet Nam’s textiles and garment sector
Project page and contact
Seminar “Greening the Textiles and Garment sector in Viet Nam: Skills Needs - Challenges and Opportunities”
Workshop - Forecasting and developing skills to advance decent work and productivity in Viet Nam’s textiles and garment sector

Programme Name: SKILL-UP - Upgrading skills for the changing world of work

Programme Initiators: The SKILL-UP Programme is a collaboration between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Programme Objectives: The SKILL-UP Programme helps ILO Member States enhance their skills systems to adapt to global changes like digitalization and demographic shifts. It includes global efforts for product development and capacity building, as well as country projects in Ghana, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Malawi, Senegal, and Tanzania focusing on skills development and social inclusion. Additionally, the Programme fosters dialogue between Western and Central African countries to align migration with demand-driven skills partnerships.

Target Groups:

Direct beneficiaries: National Governments, public institutions, TVET providers, social partners and industry associations.
Ultimate beneficiaries: youth enrolled or candidates of TVET, especially from vulnerable groups and disadvantaged background.

Project-related materials & helpful links:

SKILL-UP Programme brief
SKILL-UP Flyer

Project Name: Transitions

Project Initiators: Transitions is a strategic alliance for innovation formed by research and technological centres, Vocational Education and Training (VET), Higher Education Institutions (HEI), policy actors, SMEs and other sectoral organizations from Spain, Italy, Netherlands and Sweden.

Project Objectives: The aim is to nurture the textile and fashion transition to a 4.0 system and a circular economy by developing new learning methods, tools and practices to help students, young designers and professionals, to face real challenges.

Target Groups: Product, F&T design students, young designers; fashion startups; SMEs professionals from design and management of creative industries; teachers and researchers in F&T design. All the specialists in design and development training of the SMEs F&T sectors.

Project-related materials & helpful links:

About the Transitions project
Reports & Resources
Contact

Project Name:

Project Initiators:

Project Objectives:

Target Groups:

Project-related materials & helpful links:

Towards a generation of green and sustainable enterprises - skills matter

An op-ed by Ingrid Christensen, director of the Vietnam office for the International Labour Organization (ILO), on how man-made climate change is real and is posing a threat to the planet and its inhabitants, and how it affects scenarios for sustainable occupations.

Vietnam's exceptional approach to textile industry resilience

Discover why Vietnam, alongside China, is leading the charge in developing robust industrial policies for the textile and clothing sector, with a keen focus on human resources and skills development, even amidst global disruptions

News on Skills Development

How to build better supply chains in four key sourcing countries

Labour leaders in Myanmar, the Philippines, China and Bangladesh share the insights that brands need to bear in mind before barrelling in to change things locally.

EESC-Cedefop forum on skills: the EU must anticipate trends in order to keep up, and not just adapt to change

More flexible and even tailored pathways to upskilling and lifelong learning can be one way of reaching people with low skills levels, from poorer backgrounds or at risk of social exclusion. Attention still needs to be paid to gender imbalances in labour markets.

How workforce training is helping Indonesia modernise its economy

Indonesia aims to become a high-income country by 2045, leveraging its favorable demographics and large workforce. But challenges like high unemployment and low female workforce participation hinder progress. The government needs to focus on skill development, as 90% of the workforce lacks training, affecting productivity.

More News

Selected Folder or Collection item returned no results

Find out Who's Who in the industry

This visual map shows who’s doing what and where in the industry in Asia. Search for partners and connect with organizations and initiatives working on Decent Work and Sustainability. Register a profile on the Asia Garment Hub to gain full access to the map and its features.

Please wait

Click Here

Skills Development