Botswana to get first Textile and Clothing Institute

The Botswana government has approved the establishment of a Textile and Clothing Institute of Botswana, marking the first of its kind in the country, as it looks to overcome a “chronic shortage” of skilled workers that it states has negatively impacted its textiles sector for many years.

Shahid Ghafoor, founder and president of the Botswana Textile and Clothing Association, which aims to promote the development of a globally competitive and sustainable textile and clothing sector within Botswana, said that the Textile and Clothing Institute of Botswana, would provide candidates on-site teaching, with practical learning, as well as workforce development to ensure that the country has an educated, skilled and competitive workforce in the textile industry.

The institute will offer a one-year certificate course in clothing manufacturing, which will have three levels covering cutting, embroidery, design and pattern making, garment assembly, sewing, commercial sewing skills, and mechanics.

“Our mission is to facilitate sustainable development of the regional and local textile and clothing industry by nurturing a competent workforce with specialised skills,” said Ghafoor, who is also the managing director of Western Apparels, to local media, Mmegi.

The institute will have five classrooms that can each accommodate 30 students each as well as a workshop.

It is hoped that the establishment of the Textile and Clothing Institute of Botswana will see more textile companies taking advantage of the recent extension of the AGOA, the unilateral trade arrangement by the US for African countries to penetrate the US market duty-free. Currently, only one company in Botswana is taking advantage of this trade arrangement.

Image: Botswana Textile and Clothing Association Facebook