To give boost to technical textiles and ensure the availability of skilled manpower, the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) has developed guidelines for new degree courses in technical textiles for engineering institutes.
The MoT, as per the guidelines,will provide financial assistance of up to Rs. 15 crore to the educational institutes meeting the eligibility criteria.
Notably, the guidelines shall be released soon and applications from educational institutes will be invited.
In a statement, MoT informed that the intervention is part of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM),which aims at improving the penetration level of technical textiles in the country.
Along with the development of a new degree course, upgradation of the existing conventional degree courses with new papers of technical textiles, the establishment of laboratory infrastructure involving upgrading of existing infrastructure, setting-up of new laboratory equipment facilities and training of trainers and faculty members across different application areas of technical textiles are also included in the guidelines.
One of the major factors affecting the growth of technical textiles in the country is the lack of quality manpower, especially educated and trained engineers and professionals, and highly skilled workmen both for manufacturing and application areas of technical textiles.
Therefore, in order to become a pioneer in the field of technical textiles in the next decade, India has to lay focused emphasis on creating an effective knowledge and world-class skill ecosystem.
Technical textiles have contributed immensely in productivity improvement, public safety, cost reduction and durability of infrastructure projects, environment protection and improvements in living standards of citizens in developed countries. India has nearly 6 per cent of the world market size of US $ 250 billion. The penetration level of technical textiles is low in India at 5-10 per cent as against 30-70 per cent in advanced countries.
