ITC launches two new Garment Training Centres in Khatlon province

Fashion and clothing design students in Kulob city and the Danghara district of Khatlon province will start the new academic season with two new Garment Training Centres developed with the support of the International Trade Centre (ITC) and in partnership with the Kulob Institute of Technology and Innovation Management (KITIM) and the Danghara State University (DSU).

The Garment Training Centres opened this summer and they are already hosting students and professionals interested to learn modern dressmaking. Supporting the Tajik apparel sector and related universities are crucial parts of the work implemented by the ITC’s Global Textile and Clothing Programme(GTEX), funded by the Government of Switzerland.

Khatlon province is the most populated region of Tajikistan, with a third of the country’s population living there. The region is known for its intensive agricultural and cotton production, while industrial development is still recent. The textile and clothing industry can offfer better income and new work opportunities to local women and youth.

The Garment Training Centres in the Khatlon province are the third and fourth ITC opened in Tajikistan. They will enhance and develop core skills required by the country’s garment industry, as well as fill the gap between the private sector and academia. Through the latest training and technology, the centres will cultivate qualified workforce. Moreover, the centres enable vital collaboration between the industry and other educational institutions the country.

Saidmumin Kamolov, GTEX National Project Coordinator in Tajikistan, says: “ITC is committed to supporting students to have access to the latest equipment and technologies, such as modern sewing machines, computer-aided clothing design technologies, and more. The GTEX project made all appliances and software available. The project will play a major role in improving the centres’ capacities, updating training curricula and adapting the equipment according to the sector’s need.”

Currently, around 900 students in DSU and 300 students in KITIM study textile machinery and equipment, natural fibres spinning, primary processing and spinning, artistic weaving, modelling and designing clothes, among other relevant topics to the sector.

Nurali Shohiyon, Rector, Danghara State University: “The availability of qualified professionals is the key to the successful development of any industry in an increasingly competitive environment.The Garment Training Centre will further contribute to the development of the textile and clothing industry in Tajikistan. Strengthening the linkages between the apparel industry and the academy will help the  the national production to enter new markets and find new opportunities”.

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Almossho Shoev, Rector, Kulob Institute of Technology and Innovation Management: “With the training and technology provided, the Garment Training Centre aims to better qualify the textiles and clothing workforce. Besides that, the centre will play an essential role in enabling more vital collaboration between the industry and our university”.

The universities intend to develop new training materials in line with industry and market needs and adapt existing ones for various skill and knowledge levels with the technical support from ITC GTEX project, national enterprises, and the sector related business support organizations.