German Development Cooperation Completes Next-Gen Garment Manufacturing Training
By Maame Efua Kwaduah
The German Development Cooperation has completed a training program for young professionals in Ghana’s garment industry.
The program, called Training the Next Generation of Experts in Garment Manufacturing (TRAINEx), aimed to build skills in garment manufacturing and improve local expertise.
The initiative was supported by the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition,” operating under the brand Invest for Jobs. It is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Brandix Corporate Campus.
Across Africa, the textile and garment sector faces a significant production gap, with value-added output projected at just US$1.84 billion in 2025. In Ghana, domestic demand stands at 120 million yards, valued at US$400 million, yet manufacturers operate at only 30 percent capacity.
This gap is attributed to limited technical expertise and low investment levels. TRAINEx aimed to address this challenge by developing a pool of skilled local professionals to help firms improve productivity and competitiveness.
Participants received specialized training in production management, quality control, merchandising and costing, industrial engineering, and social compliance.
The program combined practical and theoretical learning through in-factory coaching and hands-on internships.
Through collaboration with Brandix Corporate Campus, the educational arm of the Brandix Group in Sri Lanka, participants also took a study tour.
This exposure allowed trainees to connect theory with real-world practices and observe global best practices in garment manufacturing.
According to Simon Hochstein, Component Head for Invest for Jobs at GIZ Ghana, the training improves participants’ work efficiency and equips them to train others on the job. The program is expected to strengthen productivity, create more jobs, and support a Just Transition, providing greater opportunities for women and youth.
Completion of the program marks a key step toward building a sustainable talent pipeline for Ghana’s apparel industry. Trainees are now employed by local garment factories, reducing reliance on foreign expertise and empowering local professionals to drive transformation in the sector. The initiative is also expected to encourage alignment of textile and fashion curricula with the technical needs of Ghana’s growing garment industry.
The training is seen as a significant contribution to improving productivity, strengthening the textile industry, and creating more jobs, especially for women and youth, while supporting a Just Transition toward a more inclusive economy.
