Apparel Training and Design Centre (ATDC), the training wing of Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), has collaborated with 77 apparel manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu for a World Bank funded skilling project. The World Bank funded Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) project will be implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship with a total cost of Rs 2,200 crore. It will improve the productivity at MSMEs in various industrial clusters. It will also enhance the delivery quality of ITIs through Apprenticeship Scheme in all sectors.

AEPC, having more than 8,000 apparel exporters as members, has applied for the project. On the other hand, ATDC plans to impart the three-month classroom training to 240 apprentices in five different courses followed by a 12-month on-the-job training under the mandatory Apprenticeship Scheme in partner factories.

ATDC further plans to establish Industry Apprenticeship Initiative Cell and expand the work of Training of Trainers (ToT) through Apparel Made-Up and Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMH-SSC) under the skilling project.