GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Garment Industry Statistics

Garment industry invests in upskilling, boosting productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

52% of apparel workers in developing countries lack basic digital skills for modern manufacturing

Statistic 2

Industry 4.0 adoption in garments is anticipated to boost productivity by up to 40%

Statistic 3

digital upskilling efforts have increased online collaboration efficiency by 30% among garment firms

Statistic 4

investments in AI-powered quality inspection tools in garments resulted in 22% fewer defective products

Statistic 5

80% of employers in the textile industry believe upskilling is necessary to compete globally

Statistic 6

33% of garment workers feel unprepared for the skills required by automation technologies

Statistic 7

80% of garment factory managers see automation as an opportunity for workforce upskilling rather than job replacement

Statistic 8

72% of garment workers believe that upskilling increases their job security

Statistic 9

92% of employers believe continuous learning is essential for staying competitive in the garment industry

Statistic 10

training programs focusing on sustainable practices increased worker engagement by 22%

Statistic 11

40% of garment industry workforce training programs now include sustainability and eco-friendly manufacturing

Statistic 12

90% of textile and clothing firms believe that integrating sustainability into training improves brand reputation

Statistic 13

61% of garment firms now include sustainability and eco-awareness modules in their upskilling programs

Statistic 14

garment industry upskilling initiatives have led to a 28% increase in sustainable fabric use, according to recent industry surveys

Statistic 15

40% of industry training programs now incorporate circular economy principles to promote sustainability

Statistic 16

textile green innovation skills training increased in India by 40% over two years, focusing on eco-friendly fabrics

Statistic 17

the average duration of upskilling programs for garment workers is 3.5 months, with programs averaging 20 hours of training per worker

Statistic 18

65% of garment industry companies plan to increase investment in employee upskilling by 2025

Statistic 19

70% of garment workers expressed interest in training programs related to new textile technologies

Statistic 20

companies that invest in reskilling their workforce see a 20% increase in productivity

Statistic 21

45% of garment factory workers are unaware of existing upskilling programs

Statistic 22

automation readiness in the garment sector is predicted to displace 30% of manual jobs by 2030

Statistic 23

only 35% of garment sector employees have received formal training in the past year

Statistic 24

reskilling initiatives led by global brands increased garment industry retention by 15%

Statistic 25

60% of apparel manufacturing firms reported a skills gap that affects their growth

Statistic 26

investment in digital skills training correlates with a 25% reduction in defect rates in garment production

Statistic 27

55% of garment workers prefer vocational training over online courses

Statistic 28

textile and apparel companies with comprehensive upskilling programs reduced employee turnover by 12%

Statistic 29

48% of garment factories in Asia see reskilling as a top priority for digital transition

Statistic 30

after implementing upskilling programs, companies experienced an average of 18% faster order fulfillment

Statistic 31

small and medium garment enterprises (SMEs) that adopt reskilling initiatives see a 10% revenue growth over two years

Statistic 32

85% of garment industry managers agree that upskilling is critical for future growth

Statistic 33

in regions where upskilling programs are prevalent, garment factory productivity exceeds global averages by 15%

Statistic 34

78% of garment industry HR managers see reskilling as essential to addressing labor shortages

Statistic 35

60% of garment industry employees have limited ICT skills, impeding modern factory automation

Statistic 36

garment industry reskilling programs focusing on AI and robotics have grown 50% in the last three years

Statistic 37

companies that partner with vocational institutes for worker upskilling see a 9% increase in new product innovation

Statistic 38

66% of garment companies report that employee reskilling reduces costly errors and rework

Statistic 39

largest growth in upskilling activities is observed in low-income countries’ garment sectors, with a 35% increase over the past five years

Statistic 40

garment factories with employee reskilling initiatives show a 12% decrease in health and safety incidents

Statistic 41

40% of garment workers express willingness to learn new skills if provided with accessible training

Statistic 42

global apparel companies invested over $2 billion in upskilling initiatives in 2023, aiming to modernize the workforce

Statistic 43

digital literacy training for garment workers has increased by 60% in South Asia over three years

Statistic 44

54% of garment industry HR professionals report difficulty in recruiting skilled workers due to lack of local upskilling programs

Statistic 45

automation and digital skill programs led to a 25% decrease in production costs for some garment manufacturers

Statistic 46

training in quality control and compliance increased worker accuracy in garment factories by 17%

Statistic 47

industry reports indicate that reskilling efforts can lead to a 10% reduction in order lead times

Statistic 48

garment industry reskilling initiatives have contributed to a 14% increase in employee satisfaction according to recent surveys

Statistic 49

75% of international garment brands have committed to skill development goals aligned with Industry 4.0 by 2025

Statistic 50

55% of garment workers in Africa are interested in digital skills training to improve employability

Statistic 51

the introduction of reskilling programs in developing countries reduced skills gap deficits by up to 40%

Statistic 52

comprehensive upskilling programs improved compliance with safety and labor standards by 18%

Statistic 53

66% of garment organizations report that ongoing learning and reskilling are crucial to adapting to market changes

Statistic 54

companies with digital reskilling programs reported a 33% faster adaptation to supply chain disruptions

Statistic 55

58% of garment workers face barriers to reskilling such as language, cost, or time constraints

Statistic 56

81% of apparel manufacturers consider upskilling as the most effective strategy to meet future sustainability standards

Statistic 57

62% of garment sector employees in Latin America have expressed interest in mobile technology-based training

Statistic 58

digital skill training for garment workers is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15% through 2025

Statistic 59

specialized reskilling programs in textile design increased innovation output by 19%

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Key Highlights

65% of garment industry companies plan to increase investment in employee upskilling by 2025
52% of apparel workers in developing countries lack basic digital skills for modern manufacturing
70% of garment workers expressed interest in training programs related to new textile technologies
companies that invest in reskilling their workforce see a 20% increase in productivity
45% of garment factory workers are unaware of existing upskilling programs
automation readiness in the garment sector is predicted to displace 30% of manual jobs by 2030
80% of employers in the textile industry believe upskilling is necessary to compete globally
only 35% of garment sector employees have received formal training in the past year
reskilling initiatives led by global brands increased garment industry retention by 15%
60% of apparel manufacturing firms reported a skills gap that affects their growth
investment in digital skills training correlates with a 25% reduction in defect rates in garment production
55% of garment workers prefer vocational training over online courses
textile and apparel companies with comprehensive upskilling programs reduced employee turnover by 12%

The garment industry is at a critical crossroads, with over half of workers lacking digital skills and 70% eager for training in new textile technologies—highlighting a pressing need for upskilling and reskilling efforts that could boost productivity by up to 40% and secure future growth amid rapid automation and Industry 4.0 advancements.

Digital Skills and Technology Adoption

52% of apparel workers in developing countries lack basic digital skills for modern manufacturing
Industry 4.0 adoption in garments is anticipated to boost productivity by up to 40%
digital upskilling efforts have increased online collaboration efficiency by 30% among garment firms
investments in AI-powered quality inspection tools in garments resulted in 22% fewer defective products

Digital Skills and Technology Adoption Interpretation

Despite over half of apparel workers lacking basic digital skills, the push toward Industry 4.0—with AI-driven inspections and digital collaboration—promises a future where garments are smarter, more efficient, and less defective, highlighting the urgent need for upskilling to truly stitch technology into the fabric of the industry.

Industry Attitudes, Perceptions, and Readiness

80% of employers in the textile industry believe upskilling is necessary to compete globally
33% of garment workers feel unprepared for the skills required by automation technologies
80% of garment factory managers see automation as an opportunity for workforce upskilling rather than job replacement
72% of garment workers believe that upskilling increases their job security
92% of employers believe continuous learning is essential for staying competitive in the garment industry

Industry Attitudes, Perceptions, and Readiness Interpretation

As the textile industry stitches its future, a remarkable 92% of employers recognize that continuous upskilling is vital, turning automation from a threat into an opportunity, even as nearly a third of workers feel unprepared for the tech-driven seam of tomorrow.

Sustainability and Green Skills Development

training programs focusing on sustainable practices increased worker engagement by 22%
40% of garment industry workforce training programs now include sustainability and eco-friendly manufacturing
90% of textile and clothing firms believe that integrating sustainability into training improves brand reputation
61% of garment firms now include sustainability and eco-awareness modules in their upskilling programs
garment industry upskilling initiatives have led to a 28% increase in sustainable fabric use, according to recent industry surveys
40% of industry training programs now incorporate circular economy principles to promote sustainability
textile green innovation skills training increased in India by 40% over two years, focusing on eco-friendly fabrics

Sustainability and Green Skills Development Interpretation

As garment industry training shifts gears toward sustainability, a 22% boost in worker engagement and a 40% integration of eco-conscious practices signal that eco-awareness isn't just good ethics but also a smart strategy for brand reputation and innovation.

Training Programs and Partnerships

the average duration of upskilling programs for garment workers is 3.5 months, with programs averaging 20 hours of training per worker

Training Programs and Partnerships Interpretation

With just 3.5 months and 20 hours of dedicated training, garment workers are gearing up for a future where their skills can stitch them into the fabric of a more competitive and adaptable industry.

Workforce Upskilling and Reskilling Initiatives

65% of garment industry companies plan to increase investment in employee upskilling by 2025
70% of garment workers expressed interest in training programs related to new textile technologies
companies that invest in reskilling their workforce see a 20% increase in productivity
45% of garment factory workers are unaware of existing upskilling programs
automation readiness in the garment sector is predicted to displace 30% of manual jobs by 2030
only 35% of garment sector employees have received formal training in the past year
reskilling initiatives led by global brands increased garment industry retention by 15%
60% of apparel manufacturing firms reported a skills gap that affects their growth
investment in digital skills training correlates with a 25% reduction in defect rates in garment production
55% of garment workers prefer vocational training over online courses
textile and apparel companies with comprehensive upskilling programs reduced employee turnover by 12%
48% of garment factories in Asia see reskilling as a top priority for digital transition
after implementing upskilling programs, companies experienced an average of 18% faster order fulfillment
small and medium garment enterprises (SMEs) that adopt reskilling initiatives see a 10% revenue growth over two years
85% of garment industry managers agree that upskilling is critical for future growth
in regions where upskilling programs are prevalent, garment factory productivity exceeds global averages by 15%
78% of garment industry HR managers see reskilling as essential to addressing labor shortages
60% of garment industry employees have limited ICT skills, impeding modern factory automation
garment industry reskilling programs focusing on AI and robotics have grown 50% in the last three years
companies that partner with vocational institutes for worker upskilling see a 9% increase in new product innovation
66% of garment companies report that employee reskilling reduces costly errors and rework
largest growth in upskilling activities is observed in low-income countries’ garment sectors, with a 35% increase over the past five years
garment factories with employee reskilling initiatives show a 12% decrease in health and safety incidents
40% of garment workers express willingness to learn new skills if provided with accessible training
global apparel companies invested over $2 billion in upskilling initiatives in 2023, aiming to modernize the workforce
digital literacy training for garment workers has increased by 60% in South Asia over three years
54% of garment industry HR professionals report difficulty in recruiting skilled workers due to lack of local upskilling programs
automation and digital skill programs led to a 25% decrease in production costs for some garment manufacturers
training in quality control and compliance increased worker accuracy in garment factories by 17%
industry reports indicate that reskilling efforts can lead to a 10% reduction in order lead times
garment industry reskilling initiatives have contributed to a 14% increase in employee satisfaction according to recent surveys
75% of international garment brands have committed to skill development goals aligned with Industry 4.0 by 2025
55% of garment workers in Africa are interested in digital skills training to improve employability
the introduction of reskilling programs in developing countries reduced skills gap deficits by up to 40%
comprehensive upskilling programs improved compliance with safety and labor standards by 18%
66% of garment organizations report that ongoing learning and reskilling are crucial to adapting to market changes
companies with digital reskilling programs reported a 33% faster adaptation to supply chain disruptions
58% of garment workers face barriers to reskilling such as language, cost, or time constraints
81% of apparel manufacturers consider upskilling as the most effective strategy to meet future sustainability standards
62% of garment sector employees in Latin America have expressed interest in mobile technology-based training
digital skill training for garment workers is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15% through 2025
specialized reskilling programs in textile design increased innovation output by 19%

Workforce Upskilling and Reskilling Initiatives Interpretation

As the garment industry stitches together a future with 65% planning increased upskilling investment and 70% of workers eager to learn emerging textile technologies, it’s clear that garments of growth and innovation are tailored by reskilling—though a stubborn 45% remain unaware of these programs—highlighting that the fabric of industry progress is as much about awareness as it is about training.