Credo Centre of Excellence, in collaboration with the Apparel Skill Council, has inaugurated the nation’s first fashion incubation centre in Kolkata.

“The fashion incubation centre aims to enhance West Bengal’s Rs 40,000 crore textile industry,” stated Pinaki Roychowdhury, Trustee of the Credo Foundation.

This pioneering initiative marks India’s first fashion incubation centre and the inaugural PPP model centre sanctioned by the Apparel Made Ups Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMHSSC).

“The council operates three additional centres in Gurugram, Guwahati, and Tripura, focused on basic tailoring training and fully owned by the government,” Roychowdhury elaborated.

Despite West Bengal’s significant presence of MSME-based garment manufacturing, exports remain subdued due to outdated manufacturing practices and a lack of modern design and supply chain infrastructure.

“The programme’s objective is to foster innovation and skill development within the home furnishing and apparel manufacturing sectors,” noted Padmashri awardee and Chairman of AMHSSC, A Sakthivel.

“The centre of excellence is primarily tasked with enhancing the capabilities of workers in the apparel, makeup, and home furnishings industries through high-quality training,” Sakthivel emphasized.

Roychowdhury highlighted that Credo will extend comprehensive incubation support, encompassing firm incorporation, design assistance, and manufacturing guidance.

Furthermore, Credo will offer market access support to entrepreneurs for a minimum of 2-4 years, facilitating their transition to self-sufficiency.

“Credo’s hybrid fashion design and entrepreneurship programmes seamlessly blend online education with practical offline skilling,” remarked Dominic Savio, Principal of St. Xavier’s College Kolkata.

“The centre will serve as a contemporary and pertinent platform for skill development, complemented by industrial internships and entrepreneurship opportunities through its fashion business incubation programme,” Savio concluded.