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TexMart : What inspired the establishment of the Textile Sector Skill Council (TSC) in 2014, and how has its vision evolved over the years?
Swapna Mishra : Textile Sector Skill Council was established in 2014 as an industry-driven, not-for-profit organisation under Section 8(1) of the Companies Act, as part of govt industry initiative, with the objective of creating a structured skill ecosystem for India’s textile sector.
TSC’s role has evolved considerably since its establishment. While developing industry-relevant qualifications, and training and certification remains a core function, TSC is part of empowering committee, task forces for national skilling schemes and has given inputs on PM SETU, Centre of Excellence for Skilling, offering skill courses under NEP and NCrF for educational institutions, Apprenticeships, CSR funded trainings, Cluster based training programs, etc.
TSC is an NCVET recognised Awarding Body for the Textile sector, and its focus is increasingly on creating a complete pathway from industry-defined skills to training, assessment, certification, apprenticeship, employment and entrepreneurship.
Our vision is therefore to create not merely trained manpower, but a deployable and future-ready textile workforce that can support India’s transition towards advanced, sustainable and technology-enabled textile manufacturing.
TM : How does TSC identify emerging skill requirements and conduct research to understand the changing needs of the textile industry?
SM : Being an industry-driven organisation, TSC’s understanding of skill requirements comes primarily from continuous engagement with the textile industry, industry associations, machinery manufacturers, research institutions, educational institutions and other stakeholders.
TSC examine changes in manufacturing technologies, legal requirements, machinery, production processes and emerging standard/ quality needs to identify new occupational requirements. This is particularly important in areas such as technical textiles, textile recycling, product traceability and sustainable manufacturing, where the skill requirements are evolving rapidly.
TSC also works closely with institutions and industry partners to translate these developments into qualifications, specialised training programmes and digital learning content.
TM : What role does research and industry feedback play in developing new Qualification Packs and National Occupational Standards?
SM : Industry and Academia feedback is one of the mandated processes in developing and revising TSC’s Qualification Packs (QPs) and National Occupational Standards (NOS). As an industry-driven and NCVET-recognised Awarding Body for the textile sector, TSC ensures that qualifications are based on the competencies actually required in the workplace. In this way, TSC acts as a bridge between industry requirements and the national skilling framework, translating technological and market changes into structured, NSQF-aligned qualifications.
TM : How is TSC using digital technologies and e-learning platforms to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of textile skill development?
SM : TSC is using digital technology to complement its conventional, practical-based skilling model and make textile-sector learning accessible to a wider group of students, textile professionals, entrepreneurs and MSMEs. TSC has developed its own Learning Management System (LMS), along with a mobile application, enabling learners to access courses remotely and learn at their own pace. The LMS provides structured, expert-designed content, practice tests, interaction and certification.
TM : What R&D opportunities do you see in using AI, blockchain and other emerging technologies for textile skill development and training?
SM : AI, blockchain and other emerging technologies offer significant opportunities to make textile skilling more industry-oriented, adaptive and future-ready. For TSC, the focus is not only on introducing these technologies as subjects, but on understanding how they can be applied to solve real challenges in textile manufacturing and skill development.
TSC has already initiated this work through its digital learning portfolio. Its LMS offers a course on “Application of AI & Blockchain for Recycling of Technical Textiles,” covering AI applications in textile recycling and the use of blockchain for tracking and transparency in recycling processes. TSC also offers a course on “Methods and Technologies for Recycling Textile Waste,” covering mechanical and chemical recycling technologies and circular-economy practices.
As the textile industry adopts automation, AI, IoT, advanced materials and recycling technologies, TSC can play an important role in converting these technological developments into relevant qualifications, training programmes and industry-ready competencies.
TM : How does TSC work with textile companies and industry partners to ensure that its training programmes reflect actual market requirements?
SM : As an industry-driven Section 8 organization and NCVET-recognised Awarding Body for the textile sector, TSC works with textile manufacturers, industry associations, machinery manufacturers, technical experts, research institutions and educational institutions to understand changes in technology, machinery, production processes and emerging job roles. TSC with the help of its Technical committees (with industry experts as members) to review skill demand, identify skill gaps and assess future requirements. The feedback from these industry engagements is used to continuously improve Qualification Packs, NOS, curricula, training content and practical training requirements. In short, TSC’s approach is to ensure that industry defines the demand, industry experts contribute to the competency requirements, and TSC provides the qualification, assessment and certification framework.
TM : What research-driven initiatives are being undertaken to address skill gaps created by automation, digitalisation and advanced textile manufacturing?
SM : TSC’s approach is to identify the competencies required in the emerging areas like Block chain application in textiles, AI, ML, Sustainable production, etc. through industry engagement and translate them into relevant qualifications, training programmes and practical learning opportunities.
TM : How is TSC encouraging innovation in areas such as technical textiles, textile recycling, sustainability and advanced manufacturing?
SM : Technical textiles, Textile sustainability, Textile waste recycling are the important areas of TSC’s current focus, with qualifications and specialized learning initiatives aimed at developing skills for emerging applications beyond conventional textiles. TSC is exploring on strengthening practical training infrastructure through Centres of Excellence, industry/ academia participation and product/ process innovation initiatives.
TM : What is TSC’s strategy for strengthening collaboration among textile manufacturers, training providers, assessment agencies and educational institutions?
SM : A key part of this strategy is greater participation of the industry itself in training. Textile employers can become TSC-affiliated Training Providers, enabling companies to train candidates using their own industrial environment, machinery and processes. This creates a direct link between industry demand and training delivery. TSC’s affiliation framework is also designed to ensure quality and alignment with NSQF-based competency requirements.
TSC also works with colleges and educational institutions through textile skill-development programmes, B.Voc programmes and industry-oriented training. This helps students supplement their academic education with practical, job-specific competencies. The same approach is being strengthened through apprenticeships and Centres of Excellence, where learners can obtain greater exposure to industrial technologies and workplace practices.
TM : How does TSC use research and performance data to evaluate whether its skill-development programmes are meeting industry expectations?
SM : TSC follows an industry- and outcome-oriented approach to evaluate the effectiveness of its skill-development programmes. At the qualification level, TSC uses industry feedback, sector research and changing technology requirements to review skill gaps and update Qualification Packs, NOS and curricula. TSC closely monitor the quality of the trainings and assessment process. The framework includes monitoring and audit of assessment reports, certification processes and stakeholder feedback. Assessment is also designed to be competency- and outcome-based, with emphasis on practical demonstration, quality, time taken, tools and equipment requirements, and evidence collected during assessment.
TM : How is technological advancement in spinning, weaving, processing, technical textiles and handlooms changing the skills required by Indian textile workers?
SM : Technological advancement is changing textile jobs from conventional machine operation towards technology-enabled, multi-skilled roles. Workers increasingly need competencies in automated machinery, digital controls, process monitoring, quality management, troubleshooting and data-based decision-making.
At the same time, emerging areas such as technical textiles, recycling and sustainable manufacturing require specialised skills, while handloom workers need to combine traditional craftsmanship with digital design, modern production techniques and entrepreneurship skills. Therefore, the focus is shifting from simply operating machines to understanding, monitoring and optimising advanced textile processes.
TM : What R&D initiatives are needed to prepare India’s textile workforce for Industry 4.0 technologies such as AI, automation, IoT and data analytics?
SM : R&D should focus on identifying the new competencies required for Industry 4.0-enabled textile manufacturing and training on the same. TSC is closely working with textile industries, machinery manufacturers, Textile Research Association, Technology experts and educational institutions to understand these changing requirements and develop practical training modules. Centres of Excellence, industry-based training and apprenticeships can provide the infrastructure and real-world exposure required to develop these skills.
TM : How can research and technology-driven training help Indian textile manufacturers improve productivity, quality and global competitiveness?
SM : Research and technology-driven training can help manufacturers improve machine efficiency, reduce errors and downtime, maintain consistent quality and optimize production processes.
A skilled workforce that can operate, monitor, troubleshoot and optimize advanced textile technologies will help Indian manufacturers improve productivity, quality and sustainability, thereby strengthening their competitiveness in the global textile market.
TM : What are the most important skill-development priorities for India’s textile industry over the next five to ten years?
SM : Over the next five to ten years, the priority should be to build a future-ready, industry-linked and technology-enabled textile workforce. The key areas would be:
- Technical textiles and high-value textile applications
- Textile recycling, circular economy and sustainable manufacturing
- Modern machinery operation, maintenance and troubleshooting
- Handloom and textile entrepreneurship (Traditional)
- Establishing Centres of Excellence of Advanced skilling in Textiles
TM : What R&D areas should India prioritise to build a future-ready workforce for technical textiles and sustainable textile manufacturing?
SM : Priorities to be focused in advanced technical-textile materials, textile recycling and circular economy, sustainable manufacturing processes, resource-efficient technologies and digital/Industry 4.0 applications.
TM : How can TSC contribute to creating a globally competitive Indian textile workforce as international manufacturing requirements continue to evolve?
SM : TSC is continuously contributing in aligning textile qualifications and training with evolving industry technologies, international practices and market requirements. As an NCVET-recognised Awarding Body and industry-driven organization, TSC acting as a bridge between industry requirements, emerging technologies and workforce skills.
TM : How does TSC contribute to improving employment opportunities and career development for people entering the textile sector?
SM : TSC creates industry-relevant skill pathways through training, assessment and NCVET-recognised certification. Candidates gain practical and job-ready skills through industry-based training, apprenticeships, college and B.Voc programmes, Centres of Excellence and digital learning.
TSC also supports upskilling, reskilling and entrepreneurship, enabling people to progress from training to employment, career growth or self-employment in the textile sector.
TM : What research and innovation initiatives can help make textile skill development more inclusive for women, rural communities and traditionally underserved groups?
SM : TSC is promoting accessible and flexible skilling through digital learning, mobile-based training, college and community-level programmes, and cluster-based interventions.
Initiatives such as Handloom Entrepreneurship Training, the WEAVE programme (Women Entrepreneurs Acceleration for Value Enhancement), LMS-based learning and local industry-linked training can help overcome geographical and accessibility barriers while supporting women and rural communities.
TM : How can skill development support sustainability and responsible practices across India’s textile and handloom value chain?
SM : Skill development can embed sustainability and responsible practices into everyday textile and handloom operations, including efficient use of water, energy and raw materials, waste reduction, safe processing and proper waste segregation.
TSC is nurturing the sustainability practises through qualifications and learning initiatives focused on textile recycling, sustainable practices and circular economy, including its LMS courses on Methods and Technologies for Recycling Textile Waste and Application of AI & Blockchain for Recycling Technical Textiles.
The focus is to equip workers, entrepreneurs and handloom stakeholders with the skills to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and adopt sustainable production practices, while creating new opportunities in textile recycling and circularity.