Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Textiles

17-January-2013 17:45 IST

The Apparel Training & Design Centre (ATDC) in collaboration with JUKI India Pvt. Ltd., launched India’s first ‘Technology Innovation Research Centre’ at the ATDC-Training of Trainers’ Academy, Gurgaon to demonstrate leading edge technologies in apparel manufacturing and undertake applied research. The ATDC-JUKI TECH Innovation Centre is a significant initiative to strengthen the Apparel Industry, especially the SMEs, to adopt new technologies for increasing productivity, efficiency and quality for better price realization and better global competitiveness. Inaugurated on January 17, 2013 by Smt. Kiran Dhingra, IAS, Secretary (Textiles), Ministry of Textiles, in the presence of Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC, ATDC & IAM, Vice-Chairman, ATDC Sri Hari Kapoor, Dr. Darlie Koshy, DG & CEO-ATDC & IAM and the ATDC team and from JUKI Mr. Katsumi Nihei, Executive Operating Officer, Mr. Yamanaka, Managing Director, Mr. Motomaru, Director among many other dignitaries. The ATDC-JUKI TECH Innovation Centre is a platform to build “deep dive” capabilities through advance training, innovative processes, technical guidance and close linkage and interface with apparel industry.

Smt. Dhingra, said “the Ministry of Textiles has selected ATDC as a Nodal Agency since October 2010 under its Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS) and the pioneering ATDC initiatives of setting up ‘Training of Trainer’s Academies’ in Gurgaon, Thiruvanthapuram and Chhindwara, bringing out Digital Contents for the benefit of Trainers and Trainees, introduction of ERP system, and the launch of the ATDC-JUKI TECH Innovation Centre at the ATDC-SMART TOT Academy are indeed noteworthy.”

The Chairman, AEPC, ATDC & IAM on the occasion felt that “the Apparel industry is now becoming technology intensive and huge technological advancements are taking place in all its production systems. Coming together of JUKI & ATDC will certainly help in enhancing the skill sets and knowledge base of both ATDC’s faculty resources and apparel industry’s technical personnel on an ongoing basis.” Technologically advanced manufacturing units for producing garments using a better trained workforce have now become an essential prerequisite for long-term profitability and sustainability, he added.

ATDC-JUKI TECH Innovation Centre is expected to bridge the gap between the industry’s technological requirements and the prevalent vocational training programmes. In today’s context where scientific work methods and advanced technology are playing a pivotal role in making the Apparel Industry globally competitive, this Technology leader-Academia Collaboration will go a long way in developing and promoting innovative product concepts and manufacturing practices.” Quotes Sri Hari Kapoor, VC-ATDC

Dr. Darlie Koshy, DG & CEO-ATDC & IAM said that “the ATDC-JUKI TECH Innovation Centre is a platform where industry and academia can focus on showcasing and demonstrating technology and carrying out applied ‘Research’ which is a key word in SMART (Skills for Manufacturing of Apparel through Research and Training). Applied ‘Research’ combined with technology training can become a potent force to catalyze advancement of apparel production techniques and praxis, that would be relevant for India’s apparel manufacturing environment.”

The Apparel Training & Design Centre (ATDC) hopes to further build on mutually beneficial collaborative partnerships in other ATDC-TOT Academies as well in 12th FYP as the TOT Academies transform to become National Resource Support Agency to serve the training needs of apparel industry.

The Institute of Apparel Management’s (IAM) 2nd Convocation was also held today in Gurgaon. Smt. Dhingra, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles was the Chief Guest and Convocation Speaker. 77 students graduating from various UG/PG Diploma Programs were awarded Degree/Diploma.

In a bid to motivate the apparel factories in India for the adoption of training and implementation of AEPC DISHA, Smt. Dhingra today distributed the DISHA adoption certificate to the ‘DISHA Champions’. 78 factories have been reached out for the training and implementation under project DISHA. The six days training programme/ workshop aimed at the capacity building and greater awareness for the effective implementation of the programme. ‘DISHA Champions’ are the managers of the companies who are chosen from the employee pool which includes professionals from human resource, administration, sourcing and testing departments.

Shri V. Srinivas, IAS, JS Exports, in the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, was also present during the distribution of certificates. During the event he stated that, “The objective of felicitating is to encourage and recognize the front runners of programme who are nearing completion. The "DISHA champions" are the responsible and trained managers, who will ensure the sustained implementation of the programme in the factory. I am happy that factories are gradually getting enrolled in the DISHA programme and congratulate DISHA Champions for the implementation of DISHA in their respective factories. “

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DS/RK