Experts discussed HR issues of the textile and garment industry

Participants of the children's clothing and footwear market, representatives of executive authorities, universities and business support structures attended the Conference on the Staff in the Textile and Garment Industry: Problems and Solutions. The audience learned about the current situation in the staffing of the textile and garment industry, heard the opinions of manufacturers and representatives of colleges and universities on this issue, and participated in the discussion. 

The conference was organised by EXPOCENTRE AO in partnership with the Parents' Choice Association of Consumers and Manufacturers of Children's Goods, the National Project Fund for Support of Educational Initiatives, and the I’m on Style project.  

The event was moderated by Tatiana Butskaya, First Deputy Chair at the Russian State Duma Committee on Issues of Family, Women and Children, and Daria Brovkina, President at the Parents' Choice Association of Consumers and Manufacturers of Children's Goods.

The opening speech of Daria Brovkina was devoted to the shortage of personnel that is currently a trigger point for the majority of textile industry manufacturers. She emphasized that this problem had always existed, but after 2022 the situation had become more complicated due to the beginning of a new stage of economic development and the growth of orders for tailoring. Therefore, one of the main goals of the conference is to come closer to solving the personnel issue in the textile and garment industry.

In his welcoming speech, Maxim Fateev, Acting General Director at EXPOCENTRE AO, thanked the conference participants for their time and said that CJF – Child and Junior Fashion 2024. Spring will be visited by students of colleges and universities, who will have to make a real contribution to the development of the Russian textile and garment industry in the future.

“EXPOCENTRE, as part of the system of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, fully supports young professionals in a wide range of industries,” said Maxim Fateev. “Virtually all of our own trade shows are aimed at supporting talented Russian students and young people. Our task is to ensure that in all our events young people can take part in masterclasses, receive advice from mentors who are industry leaders, and participate in networking with industry professionals. It helps them to become excited by the very idea of industry development and to become industry professionals. We cooperate with this country's leading universities and colleges, and it is our aim that they take part in all our trade shows.”

In her report Tatiana Butskaya, First Deputy Chair at the Russian State Duma Committee on Issues of Family, Women and Children, pointed out that the primary task of working with human resources is to raise young people who will understand what they are striving for and what they live for. This is the task of the state, along with health and education. It should not only educate, but also show where and how to realise themselves and inspire them to do so.

Natalia Zolotareva, President at the Union of Directors of Secondary Specialised Education Institutions of Russia, Advisor to the Russian Minister of Education, and Deputy Chair at the Education Commission of the Russian Civic Chamber, presented the results of a survey by the Union of Directors of Secondary Specialised Education Institutions of Russia, according to which the prestige of many important bleu-collar jobs in the industry has fallen significantly. This problem needs to be reviewed when looking for solutions to HR issues and problems.

In addition, the conference participants drew up a resolution with proposals to the federal executive authorities and the Russian State Duma.

Press Service, EXPOCENTRE AO