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 more, adaptability is becoming increasingly important for workers in the labour market.

Skills Development is a crucial element of this 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, people can remain competitive in the labour market and take advantage of new opportunities. It is also necessary to ensure the productivity and competitiveness of factories around the world. By investing in a certain set of skills, business can improve their capacity to manufacture quality products and deliver them on time.

By investing in Skills Development, countries, enterprises, and individuals can unlock opportunities for employment and economic advancement, and help in building more inclusive societies.

Keen to find out more about Skills Development? This section provides latest news, data, analysis and learning resources on the subject, as well as opportunities to connect with leading skills organizations and projects.

Why is Skills Development crucial for the garment sector?

As the global garment sector faces huge transformational challenges from technological disruption to the climate crisis, Skills Development is likewise critical in enabling businesses and workers to adapt and thrive in the new economy and world of work.

Technological adoption and innovation

In countries with a strong focus on garment and textile production, Skills Development helps enable adoption of new technologies and drive innovation. As automation, robotics, and digitalization become more prevalent in the industry, workers must acquire new technical skills to effectively operate and maintain advanced machinery and digital systems. This ensures that the workforce remains capable of meeting the evolving demands of modern production methods and stays competitive in the global marketplace.

COVID-19 highlights need for Skills Development

The pandemic has underscored the urgency of prioritizing Skills Development in the garment and textiles industry. With widespread job losses and factory closures, there's a pressing need for governments, employers, and workers to invest in skill-building initiatives. Recent reports reveal a shortage of skilled workers in crucial areas like design and sustainability management, highlighting the imperative of addressing this challenge for successful recovery and future resilience.

Enhancing Competitiveness through Company Upgrading and Market Adaptation

For garment and textile producers, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, skills development is critical to sustaining and boosting their position in global supply chains. Investing in research, infrastructure, and new technologies improves workforce skills, enabling companies to produce higher value-added products and exploit new market opportunities. Furthermore, as demand dynamics in the sector change rapidly due to shifting fashion trends, consumer preferences, and sustainability concerns, investing in workforce skills helps workers adapt by acquiring new competencies in design, production, and marketing. This drives innovation and ensures continued industry relevance and competitiveness.

Job creation and inclusive growth

Skills Development plays a crucial role in creating job opportunities and promoting inclusive economic development. By equipping workers with relevant skills, countries can generate decent formal jobs in the garment sector, especially for often-underserved groups, thus addressing challenges of poverty and unemployment.

Empowering women through Skills Development

Skills development in the garment sector can also expand women's economic participation and opportunities. Initiatives can be tailored towards supporting skills upgrading for women in the sector, allowing them to perform higher-value tasks and elevate their career and earning prospects, which can in turn improve overall job satisfaction and well-being.

Skills training programs can also include modules on workplace rights, safety and conflict resolution to help women tackle issues like gender-based violence and workplace harassment, and with it help build a safer and more inclusive work environment.

Promoting environmental sustainability in the textiles & garment industry

It's crucial that the garment and textiles sector grows sustainably without harming the environment or wasting resources. Pressure from fashion brands and society is driving the industry towards environmental sustainability, with rising investment in green technologies and growing adoption of green workplace practices and circular models. To ensure the change to more sustainable models of production and to accelerate and expand this progress, skills development initiatives can raise awareness of the issues and equip workers with green skills in key areas such as energy efficiency, waste-water treatment, and renewable and advanced technologies.

Leveraging Social Dialogue for Skills Development

Social Dialogue can help drive Skills Development in the garment and textiles sector by fostering collaboration between policymakers, business workers and vocational training systems (among others). Through this process, skills needs can be identified, training programs can be tailored, and inclusion can be broadened -all of which supports greater industry resilience and competitiveness.

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.

What are the emerging skill requirements in the garment & textiles industry?

When developing skills in the garment and textiles industry, it's essential to account for diverse factors like economic conditions, resources, subsidies, environment, technology, and workforce. These considerations shape Skills Development initiatives, highlighting the need for tailored approaches. The skills outlined here are intended to provide an overview of the skills that experts believe will shape the textile sector in the coming years. They serve as examples.

Skills

Digital Design and 3D Visualization: Essential for creating and refining designs digitally, saving time, money, and reducing waste.

Programming: Writing and modifying computer programs for various purposes, recognizing different programming paradigms.

Technology: Generating or adapting equipment and technologies to meet user needs.

Systems Analysis: Analyzing system functionality and how changes affect outcomes.

Negotiation: Promoting debate to achieve balance between different interests.

Complex Problem Solving: Structuring and analyzing complex problems to develop and evaluate solutions.

Operations Analysis: Analyzing production requirements and procedures for design and improvement.

Environmental Awareness: Understanding environmental impact on production processes and business models.

Capabilities

Innovation: Creativity in generating new ideas and problem-solving.

Manual Coordination Speed: Ability to operate communication and automation systems swiftly.

Multicultural Adaptability: Working effectively in diverse environments.

Social Perception: Understanding interpersonal dynamics for inclusive collaboration.

Cognitive Flexibility: Adapting mindset to new situations.

Problem Perception: Recognizing issues before they escalate without necessarily solving them.

Technological Advances requiring new training and skills

Training in new machine operation and software
Skilled maintenance engineers
ICT skills for logistics and marketing
Formal training in material planning and supply chain management
Lifelong learning for rapid technology adaptation

Environmental Compliance Skills

Chemical engineers for wastewater treatment
Production managers versed in environmental standards
Quality control specialists for environmental compliance
Solid waste managers for recycling and waste management
Engineers for modern, eco-efficient machinery operation

Key Knowledge Areas

Administration and Management
Engineering and Technology (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Mathematics and Statistics
Computer Science and Electronics
Design and Communications
Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Knowledge: Understanding eco-friendly materials and sustainable manufacturing processes.

What are the key challenges in promoting skills in the garment & textiles sector?

Rapid Technological and Production Changes: The garment industry is characterized by fast-paced changes in technology and production methods. This requires enterprises to frequently retrain their workers to keep up with new skills and techniques. For example, a worker might need to learn how to handle a new type of machine or adopt different production methods based on varying customer requirements. This constant need for retraining can be resource-intensive.

Customer-Specific Requirements: Orders from different customers often come with specific requirements that necessitate additional training for workers. This variability makes it challenging for enterprises to maintain a consistently skilled workforce, as they must be prepared to adapt quickly to new demands.

Limited Awareness and Readiness for Green Transition: Many enterprises face challenges in transitioning to greener production methods. While there is awareness of increasing environmental requirements, the financial and technical capacity to implement these changes is often lacking. Transforming a factory into a green facility requires substantial investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, and skilled workers capable of handling higher-level tasks.

Investment in Training and Infrastructure: Promoting skills in the garment sector is not only about adopting new technology and equipment but also about investing in the training and upskilling of workers. However, enterprises are often hesitant to allocate time for training as it can lead to a temporary reduction in production. Workers, especially those paid by output, may also be reluctant to participate in training sessions as they might earn less compared to when they are actively producing.

Simple Production Methods in Developing Countries: In many developing countries, the production methods are often simple and do not require highly skilled workers. Enterprises in these regions may prioritize hiring workers capable of performing basic tasks over investing in skill development. This can hinder the overall advancement of the workforce and limit the industry's ability to adapt to more complex and high-tech production processes.

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?

The garment and textiles sector is supported by numerous initiatives, projects, programs, and organizations dedicated to promoting skills development. Here’s a selection of some of the most relevant and prominent efforts in Asia:

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) with funding from the Governments of Japan and the Netherlands.

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, green production, globalization, and demographic change, 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

Empowering women in Viet Nam's textile and garment industry: The importance of training, skills development, and gender equality

Women dominate employment across most occupational groups in the manufacturing industry in Viet Nam, yet the share of women in management positions remains low.

Brief: Towards a skills strategy for the textile and garment industry in Viet Nam

The brief highlights the achievements, opportunities, and challenges of Viet Nam’s textile and garment industry amid increasing international integration and participation in global value chains. It provides key recommendations for developing a sector skills strategy to ensure the industry's continued competitiveness and sustainable growth.

ILO and national partners launch two key reports towards a sector skills strategy for Viet Nam’s textile and garment industry

The launch of two joint reports by the ILO and the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) on 28 February 2025 marks a significant milestone to identify priority skills needs, actions, and recommendations in the textile and garment sector in Viet Nam.

ILO's STED methodology fosters dialogue on skills needs in Viet Nam’s garment and textile sector

The International Labour Organization's (ILO) Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification (STED) programme is proving to be a valuable tool for discussing and anticipating skills needs in Viet Nam's vital garment and textile sector.

Vietnam's Textile Industry: The Need for Up-Skilling and Innovation

6 questions for Mr Truong Van Cam, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), on the topic of Skills Development.

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.

Explainer: What you should know about the ILO project "Future of Work in Textile and Clothing"

Find out why Viet Nam, as a leading garment exporter, is pivotal in driving Skills Development in the garment & textiles sector.

Resources on Skills Development

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Research Brief: Addressing Upskilling and Reskilling Challenges in Viet Nam's Key Industries

ILO/GIZ rapid assessment of upskilling and reskilling needs in Viet Nam’s textiles and garments and automotive sectors.

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Asia Garment Hub | May 23, 2024

Skills Matter!

ILO's contribution to skills development in Bangladesh

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Asia Garment Hub | May 13, 2024

Report – Skill Gap Study in Apparel Made-ups and Home Furnishing Sector

Apparel Made-Ups and Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMH SSC)

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Asia Garment Hub | April 22, 2024

ILO Fact Sheet: Future of Work in Textiles and Clothing

Viet Nam is one of the biggest exporters of garment goods in the world. The textiles and garment sector which has become one of the largest manufacturing sectors and plays an important role in driving socio-economic development and job creation, fostering labour mobility, and...

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Arron Goldman | April 11, 2024

ILO Guide: Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification - A Practical Guide

The ILO has designed technical assistance tool to help policy-makers work with the private sector and employers' and workers' organizations in thinking strategically about the skills demands of tomorrow and about the supply responses required today.

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Arron Goldman | April 10, 2024

ILO Guide: Rapid STED - A Practical Guide

This guide provides advice on implementing an updated approach to STED that has been piloted in a number of countries over the last two years in collaboration with national partners.

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Arron Goldman | April 10, 2024

Multimedia Resources on Skills Development

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Skills Development