By Professor Balwant Mehta, Mr. Subodh Kumar and Ms. Varsha Susan Mathew

Our visit to the Apparel Training & Design Centre (ATDC) in Okhla provided a profound look into how formal education is reshaping the garment industry. While the campus is modest, its impact on students, mostly freshers from families already rooted in the trade, is significant.

A Legacy of Skill

A recurring theme during our visit was the intergenerational link to the industry. Many parents, themselves skilled workers, enrol their children to fill the gaps in their own knowledge, especially as the industry evolves. There is a high demand for the Apparel Manufacturing Technology (AMT) diploma, and a strong aspirational pull toward becoming “merchants,” a role seen as both prestigious and stable.

The AI Inevitability

Principal Ms. Afshan Khan emphasised that AI and automation are no longer optional. From CAD-based pattern-making to computerised embroidery, even in the smallest factories, the shift is underway. She stated, “aaj nahi toh kal aayega hi aayega” (either today or tomorrow automation will affect the sector), stressing the inevitability of the shift to the greater use of technology. Interestingly, students in our focus group felt that while design roles might be pressured by AI, merchandising remains a vital human-centric skill. The ATDC stays ahead of these shifts by maintaining close ties with the industry via the AEPC (Apparel Export Promotion Council), ensuring the curriculum reflects real-world needs.

Pathways to Empowerment

The ultimate goal for many is entrepreneurship. Students often plan to work in large factories for several years to build contacts before launching their own compliant, international-standard businesses. We also observed a powerful social motivator: women workers who feel their own growth was hampered by a lack of formal training are now pushing their children toward institutions like ATDC to ensure they move higher in the value chain.

Through industry visits and internships, these students are not just learning to operate Juki machines; they are preparing to transform the unorganised sector into a modern, competitive force.