Cambodia is about to organize the first-ever ASEAN-standard certification test for the country's pattern-makers. This is expected to enhance the value of the local apparel sector.
Pattern-making includes designing and producing sample apparels for large-scale production. A large part of this work currently comes from outside the country.
The apparel sector can leverage the advantages from locally accomplished pattern-making, as the mills spend a lot of money in the to and fro movement of the products between the mills and the foreign head offices.
Pattern-making has become a necessity in the local apparel sector. Currently, Cambodia's apparel manufacturing sector mostly includes CMT (Cut, Make and Trim) factories. Any value-added manufacturing, which is followed by greater share of profits and better wages for the workers, necessitates higher skill levels from the local employees.
Around 28-30 percent of the price of a garment bought from an outlet, at present, comes from the pre-manufacturing stage, where the pattern-makers play a vital role.
The increase, in the number of certified pattern-makers in the country, is expected to reduce the overall expenditure on garment manufacturing.
The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia and the ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries are going to administer the certification test for the country's pattern makers.
GIPC is planning to start classes for training the workers on pattern-making under the aegis of USAID-supported Cambodia Skills Development Centre.