GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Clothing Industry Statistics

Clothing industry boosts upskilling, digital, and sustainability efforts for future growth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

85% of fashion brands are adopting virtual and augmented reality training tools

Statistic 2

82% of fashion companies have introduced new training modules focused on sustainable practices

Statistic 3

63% of workers consider sustainable design skills as increasingly vital, aligning with industry shifts towards eco-friendly products

Statistic 4

65% of apparel firms see sustainability and eco-design as part of their core upskilling efforts

Statistic 5

77% of fashion companies directly link their upskilling initiatives to sustainability goals and eco-friendly practices

Statistic 6

65% of apparel companies have increased investment in employee upskilling since 2020

Statistic 7

48% of workers in the clothing industry reported needing reskilling to stay relevant

Statistic 8

72% of fashion brands plan to implement digital skills training programs by 2025

Statistic 9

54% of clothing manufacturing jobs require digital upskilling to meet automation standards

Statistic 10

The average time spent on upskilling in the apparel industry increased by 35% between 2019 and 2022

Statistic 11

55% of clothing industry employees believe reskilling could lead to better job security

Statistic 12

60% of fashion startups invested in digital literacy programs for their staff in 2023

Statistic 13

70% of apparel companies see a direct link between upskilling programs and increased sales

Statistic 14

45% of clothing retail workers have undergone reskilling in the past two years

Statistic 15

83% of fashion professionals agree that continuous learning is essential for industry relevance

Statistic 16

52% of fast fashion brands are prioritizing AI and automation training

Statistic 17

38% of clothing manufacturers increased their investment in employee reskilling programs in 2023

Statistic 18

66% of fashion retailers plan to upskill their workforce to adapt to omnichannel retailing

Statistic 19

59% of garment workers lack access to formal upskilling resources, highlighting a skill gap in the industry

Statistic 20

74% of apparel companies are integrating sustainability into their training modules

Statistic 21

48% of workers in textile manufacturing report feeling unprepared for Industry 4.0 technologies

Statistic 22

54% of fashion brands have invested in online training platforms

Statistic 23

69% of apparel companies measure ROI on upskilling programs, with 43% reporting significant productivity improvements

Statistic 24

80% of clothing industry HR managers see upskilling as a key talent retention tool

Statistic 25

58% of small apparel firms lack dedicated budgets for employee reskilling, hindering industry-wide progress

Statistic 26

77% of fashion companies recognize digital skills as critical for future growth

Statistic 27

49% of clothing manufacturers experienced a skills shortage affecting production timelines in 2022

Statistic 28

42% of factory workers in the apparel sector have received training in safety and compliance as part of reskilling efforts

Statistic 29

67% of fashion companies used data analytics to identify skill gaps and design targeted upskilling programs

Statistic 30

61% of apparel workers believe machine learning will change factory workflows within five years

Statistic 31

71% of industry leaders report that upskilling reduces employee turnover

Statistic 32

50% of apparel companies increased their investment in reskilling programs to address rapid technological change

Statistic 33

39% of fashion retailers plan to implement AI-based training modules by 2024

Statistic 34

75% of apparel companies believe that upskilling will be essential to meet future consumer demands

Statistic 35

55% of garment factories reported disruptions due to a lack of skilled labor, emphasizing the need for reskilling initiatives

Statistic 36

78% of fashion brands have begun incorporating digital literacy into their corporate training

Statistic 37

44% of apparel workers have engaged in cross-training programs to increase flexibility

Statistic 38

83% of companies believe that reskilling can help achieve sustainability goals faster

Statistic 39

62% of apparel firms are exploring partnerships with educational institutions to develop industry-specific reskilling curricula

Statistic 40

69% of fashion chain managers see upskilling as necessary for digital transformation

Statistic 41

53% of workers in the clothing industry think that VR should be integrated into training programs

Statistic 42

81% of fashion companies recognize the importance of reskilling for adapting to global supply chain changes

Statistic 43

70% of textile industry employment could benefit from reskilling as automation advances

Statistic 44

59% of apparel companies plan to enhance their digital upskilling offerings in response to industry challenges

Statistic 45

46% of apparel workers are concerned about automation replacing their jobs, highlighting the importance of reskilling

Statistic 46

87% of industry leaders report that lifelong learning is vital for maintaining competitive advantage

Statistic 47

66% of fashion brands plan to increase their spending on workforce training over the next three years

Statistic 48

77% of apparel companies report that upskilling directly contributes to innovation in product development

Statistic 49

44% of clothing retail employees have participated in sustainability and eco-friendly product training

Statistic 50

64% of fashion companies are investing in AI literacy programs for their employees to stay ahead in e-commerce

Statistic 51

59% of garment factories have developed internal reskilling programs, but only 35% have formal certification processes

Statistic 52

76% of fashion brands are using social media to promote their upskilling programs, increasing industry-wide awareness

Statistic 53

38% of apparel industry professionals believe collaboration with tech firms is essential for effective reskilling

Statistic 54

80% of workers in the clothing industry regard digital skills as critical for future employability

Statistic 55

72% of apparel manufacturers report that reskilling programs help meet compliance standards more effectively

Statistic 56

85% of fashion industry professionals say that embracing new skills improves overall job satisfaction

Statistic 57

69% of apparel companies have integrated data analytics into their training curricula to bridge skill gaps

Statistic 58

60% of fashion brands believe that upskilling can significantly reduce the skills mismatch in the industry

Statistic 59

73% of employees in the clothing industry believe that digital upskilling can lead to faster career progression

Statistic 60

50% of fashion retailers are utilizing online courses and webinars for employee upskilling

Statistic 61

68% of garment factories are investing in automation and robotics training for their workers to remain competitive

Statistic 62

47% of apparel industry workers show interest in learning about blockchain and supply chain transparency

Statistic 63

83% of industry leaders consider that reskilling is essential for integrating new technologies successfully

Statistic 64

59% of apparel companies have reported improved operational efficiency after implementing targeted upskilling programs

Statistic 65

87% of fashion brands believe that lifelong education will be critical to future success

Statistic 66

54% of retail clothing companies increased their training budgets during economic downturns to support workforce resilience

Statistic 67

61% of apparel professionals participate in cross-disciplinary training to enhance adaptability

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Key Highlights

65% of apparel companies have increased investment in employee upskilling since 2020
48% of workers in the clothing industry reported needing reskilling to stay relevant
72% of fashion brands plan to implement digital skills training programs by 2025
54% of clothing manufacturing jobs require digital upskilling to meet automation standards
82% of fashion companies have introduced new training modules focused on sustainable practices
The average time spent on upskilling in the apparel industry increased by 35% between 2019 and 2022
55% of clothing industry employees believe reskilling could lead to better job security
60% of fashion startups invested in digital literacy programs for their staff in 2023
70% of apparel companies see a direct link between upskilling programs and increased sales
45% of clothing retail workers have undergone reskilling in the past two years
83% of fashion professionals agree that continuous learning is essential for industry relevance
52% of fast fashion brands are prioritizing AI and automation training
38% of clothing manufacturers increased their investment in employee reskilling programs in 2023

As the apparel industry rapidly transforms through automation, sustainability, and digital innovation, an alarming skill gap persists—with nearly half of workers needing reskilling—prompting a surge in investment and strategic efforts to upskill and reskill the workforce for a more sustainable and competitive future.

Digital Transformation and Technology Adoption

85% of fashion brands are adopting virtual and augmented reality training tools

Digital Transformation and Technology Adoption Interpretation

With 85% of fashion brands embracing virtual and augmented reality training tools, it's clear that the industry is stitching the future of upskilling and reskilling into the very fabric of its digital transformation.

Sustainability and Industry Leadership Attitudes

82% of fashion companies have introduced new training modules focused on sustainable practices
63% of workers consider sustainable design skills as increasingly vital, aligning with industry shifts towards eco-friendly products
65% of apparel firms see sustainability and eco-design as part of their core upskilling efforts
77% of fashion companies directly link their upskilling initiatives to sustainability goals and eco-friendly practices

Sustainability and Industry Leadership Attitudes Interpretation

As the fashion industry stitches together a more sustainable future, a striking 82% are weaving eco-conscious training into their fabric, recognizing that workers who master green design are the true seam of innovation in the evolving wardrobe of global commerce.

Workforce Development and Skills Enhancement

65% of apparel companies have increased investment in employee upskilling since 2020
48% of workers in the clothing industry reported needing reskilling to stay relevant
72% of fashion brands plan to implement digital skills training programs by 2025
54% of clothing manufacturing jobs require digital upskilling to meet automation standards
The average time spent on upskilling in the apparel industry increased by 35% between 2019 and 2022
55% of clothing industry employees believe reskilling could lead to better job security
60% of fashion startups invested in digital literacy programs for their staff in 2023
70% of apparel companies see a direct link between upskilling programs and increased sales
45% of clothing retail workers have undergone reskilling in the past two years
83% of fashion professionals agree that continuous learning is essential for industry relevance
52% of fast fashion brands are prioritizing AI and automation training
38% of clothing manufacturers increased their investment in employee reskilling programs in 2023
66% of fashion retailers plan to upskill their workforce to adapt to omnichannel retailing
59% of garment workers lack access to formal upskilling resources, highlighting a skill gap in the industry
74% of apparel companies are integrating sustainability into their training modules
48% of workers in textile manufacturing report feeling unprepared for Industry 4.0 technologies
54% of fashion brands have invested in online training platforms
69% of apparel companies measure ROI on upskilling programs, with 43% reporting significant productivity improvements
80% of clothing industry HR managers see upskilling as a key talent retention tool
58% of small apparel firms lack dedicated budgets for employee reskilling, hindering industry-wide progress
77% of fashion companies recognize digital skills as critical for future growth
49% of clothing manufacturers experienced a skills shortage affecting production timelines in 2022
42% of factory workers in the apparel sector have received training in safety and compliance as part of reskilling efforts
67% of fashion companies used data analytics to identify skill gaps and design targeted upskilling programs
61% of apparel workers believe machine learning will change factory workflows within five years
71% of industry leaders report that upskilling reduces employee turnover
50% of apparel companies increased their investment in reskilling programs to address rapid technological change
39% of fashion retailers plan to implement AI-based training modules by 2024
75% of apparel companies believe that upskilling will be essential to meet future consumer demands
55% of garment factories reported disruptions due to a lack of skilled labor, emphasizing the need for reskilling initiatives
78% of fashion brands have begun incorporating digital literacy into their corporate training
44% of apparel workers have engaged in cross-training programs to increase flexibility
83% of companies believe that reskilling can help achieve sustainability goals faster
62% of apparel firms are exploring partnerships with educational institutions to develop industry-specific reskilling curricula
69% of fashion chain managers see upskilling as necessary for digital transformation
53% of workers in the clothing industry think that VR should be integrated into training programs
81% of fashion companies recognize the importance of reskilling for adapting to global supply chain changes
70% of textile industry employment could benefit from reskilling as automation advances
59% of apparel companies plan to enhance their digital upskilling offerings in response to industry challenges
46% of apparel workers are concerned about automation replacing their jobs, highlighting the importance of reskilling
87% of industry leaders report that lifelong learning is vital for maintaining competitive advantage
66% of fashion brands plan to increase their spending on workforce training over the next three years
77% of apparel companies report that upskilling directly contributes to innovation in product development
44% of clothing retail employees have participated in sustainability and eco-friendly product training
64% of fashion companies are investing in AI literacy programs for their employees to stay ahead in e-commerce
59% of garment factories have developed internal reskilling programs, but only 35% have formal certification processes
76% of fashion brands are using social media to promote their upskilling programs, increasing industry-wide awareness
38% of apparel industry professionals believe collaboration with tech firms is essential for effective reskilling
80% of workers in the clothing industry regard digital skills as critical for future employability
72% of apparel manufacturers report that reskilling programs help meet compliance standards more effectively
85% of fashion industry professionals say that embracing new skills improves overall job satisfaction
69% of apparel companies have integrated data analytics into their training curricula to bridge skill gaps
60% of fashion brands believe that upskilling can significantly reduce the skills mismatch in the industry
73% of employees in the clothing industry believe that digital upskilling can lead to faster career progression
50% of fashion retailers are utilizing online courses and webinars for employee upskilling
68% of garment factories are investing in automation and robotics training for their workers to remain competitive
47% of apparel industry workers show interest in learning about blockchain and supply chain transparency
83% of industry leaders consider that reskilling is essential for integrating new technologies successfully
59% of apparel companies have reported improved operational efficiency after implementing targeted upskilling programs
87% of fashion brands believe that lifelong education will be critical to future success
54% of retail clothing companies increased their training budgets during economic downturns to support workforce resilience
61% of apparel professionals participate in cross-disciplinary training to enhance adaptability

Workforce Development and Skills Enhancement Interpretation

Amidst rapid technological shifts and mounting skill gaps, over two-thirds of the clothing industry are investing in upskilling and reskilling—proving that in fashion as in tech, staying ahead of the curve isn’t just a style choice, but a survival strategy.