IGNOU's School of Vocational Education and Training has launched a certificate programme in Fashion Design. The programme aims at preparing students for employability in the Indian apparel industry, said a statement from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Candidates who have qualified 10+2 (Senior Secondary) or Class 12 will be admitted in this course which has been designed for a minimum 6 months and maximum 2 years.
Medium of instruction in the Programme will be English"Indian Apparel Industry is a labour intensive industry offering employment to approximately over 45 million people directly and 60 million people indirectly (IBEF, 2017). India enjoys comparative advantage in this industry due to (i) abundant supply of labour, and (ii) relatively low cost of labour," an official said in a statement while talking about the lack of a proper training system in the country.
"It helps to become apparel sourcing destination for many international companies and its share in global exports is about 26%.The Government of India aims to achieve US 300 billion of textile exports by 2024-25 and create an additional 35 million job in textile sector (http://texmin.nic.in). It is not possible to achieve the said target through existing formal training system," he added.
He also said that it becomes necessary to adopt exceptional pedagogical approach like blending learning for delivery of the programme as per industry needs and added that It will develop basic knowledge and skills in pattern making and sewing techniques.
The programme seeks to develop basic knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of fashion design; understanding of the fashion industry in India and across the globe; impart fundamental knowledge of textiles; impart skills in digital technology in CAD; develop knowledge and understanding of pattern making skills and sewing techniques; and develop entrepreneurship and communication skills.