Message

Empowering the Future of India’s Apparel and Home Furnishing Sector

It is a privilege to step into the role of Chairman at the Apparel Made-Ups and Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council. As I take on this responsibility, my vision is clear: we must transform our workforce from a traditional labor pool into a high-tech, global powerhouse of talent. Our industry is the second-largest employer in India after agriculture, providing livelihoods to over 45 million people and contributing approximately 2% to our national GDP. To lead globally, we must move beyond basic manufacturing and embrace a culture of precision, innovation and digital excellence.

The current landscape presents a strong opportunity for transformation. While India already holds a 4% share of the global textile and apparel trade, there is immense potential to scale further by strengthening our skilled workforce. As the industry evolves, it is clear that traditional training approaches must give way to more advanced, future-ready capabilities. Today’s manufacturing environment is shaped by automation, sustainability, and design-led innovation. This shift calls for a workforce that goes beyond manual skills to embrace modern production systems with confidence and agility. There is a growing need to equip professionals with a deeper understanding of efficient processes, sustainable practices, and global quality benchmarks. As global supply chains increasingly prioritise transparency and eco-conscious production, India is well-positioned to lead. By investing in the right skills and capabilities, our workforce can become a key driver of these global standards, enabling the sector to expand its footprint and reinforce its competitiveness on the world stage.

To bridge this, AMHSSC is expanding its network of Centres of Excellence (CoE) across the country. These hubs will serve as the heartbeat of our transformation, acting as specialized labs for high-end skilling and research.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies is no longer a distant prospect but a present necessity. To make our workforce future-ready, AMHSSC is prioritizing training that aligns with AI-enabled production and smart factory operations. We are focusing on digital design tools and 3D prototyping to reduce waste and accelerate speed-to-market. By emphasizing skilling, upskilling, and reskilling in these specific areas, we ensure that our artisans and operators are not replaced by technology but are instead empowered by it.

Success in this mission requires a deep, synchronized effort. We are strengthening the collaboration between industry leaders, training partners, government bodies, and academia. By creating a feedback loop where industry needs directly inform our curriculum, we ensure that every certified professional is ready to contribute from day one.

Our outlook is ambitious. With India’s textile exports targeted to reach $100 billion by 2030, we are positioning the nation to be the world’s preferred sourcing and manufacturing hub. With the right mix of heritage craftsmanship and modern technological fluency, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

I invite all stakeholders to join us in shaping a skilled, future-ready workforce. Together, we can build an ecosystem where innovation, inclusion, and capability drive the next phase of growth for India’s apparel and home furnishing sector.

With AMHSSC, let us invest in our people, embrace the digital shift, and strengthen a resilient, world-class ecosystem that defines the future of global fashion and home textiles. Together, we will translate potential into sustained performance.

As India’s apparel and home furnishing sector evolves, the need for a future-ready, skilled workforce has never been more critical. At Apparel, Made-Ups and Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council, we are committed to bridging the skill gap by aligning training with industry demands, integrating technology, and promoting sustainable practices. Our focus is on empowering youth with not just technical expertise, but also adaptability and innovation to thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape. By fostering strong industry-academia partnerships and creating inclusive skilling ecosystems, we aim to strengthen India’s position as a global leader in textiles while contributing to economic growth and employment generation.

Mr. Premal Udani
Chairman-AMH SSC