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Industry Opinion
The Silent Crisis in Garment Engineering: The Industry’s Vanishing Expertise
By Dr. Pat Trautman, Global Expert & Educator in the Pre-Production Apparel Process, Highlighting TV & Film Character Costuming, Product Development, and Technical Design.
Something is happening in the garment industry that few are willing to talk about. It’s not in the headlines, and it’s not on the latest trend reports—but it should be.
We are on the brink of a generational skills gap that could reshape garment engineering as we know it.
For decades, this industry has thrived on a combination of technical mastery, creative problem-solving, and hands-on expertise—skills that take years to hone and, until now, have been passed down from generation to generation.
But now, with a rapidly aging workforce and a declining focus on skilled craftsmanship, we’re at risk of losing critical knowledge that no machine can replace.
The Looming Knowledge Gap• In the past, garment engineers learned their trade not just through formal education but through mentorship, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training.• Today, as industry veterans retire, there aren’t enough trained professionals stepping in to take their place. Many companies have downsized, automated, or outsourced key roles without ensuring that essential skills are still being developed.• The younger workforce is tech-savvy, but digital tools alone can’t replace the deep, intuitive expertise that comes from years of hands-on experience.
This shift isn’t just affecting niche areas—it’s impacting pattern-making, quality control, material engineering, fit calibration, and production troubleshooting.
And once that knowledge is lost, it’s not easily recoverable.
The Automation Mirage: What AI & Machines Can’t DoThere’s a false assumption that automation and AI will seamlessly take over where human expertise is fading. While technology has made impressive strides in streamlining processes, it cannot replace human ingenuity.• AI can generate patterns, but it doesn’t understand the subtleties of fit across different body types the way an experienced garment engineer can.• Automation can speed up production, but machines don’t problem-solve when something goes wrong on the line—it still takes human intervention.• 3D design tools can simulate garments, but they don’t account for the real-world physics of fabric behavior, movement, and comfort in the way a seasoned expert does.
Without skilled professionals guiding, troubleshooting, and innovating, the industry risks a future of ill-fitting, low-quality, and unsustainable mass production.
- The Urgency of Action: How We Prevent a Knowledge Crisis
- The garment industry is at a crossroads. If we don’t act now, we risk losing decades of knowledge in a matter of years.
- • Rebuild Apprenticeship Programs – We must prioritize hands-on training that allows younger professionals to learn from industry veterans before they leave the workforce.
- • Invest in Cross-Generational Mentorship – Companies should create structured mentorship programs where experienced professionals pass down their expertise to new talent.
- • Expand Training Beyond Digital Tools – While AI and automation will continue to evolve, we must continue teaching the science and artistry of garment engineering—not just software proficiency.
- • Reframe the Perception of Skilled Work – The next generation must see garment engineering as more than just manufacturing; it’s a blend of science, craftsmanship, and innovation that shapes everything from luxury fashion to medical textiles.
- This is a Turning Point
- This isn’t just a problem—it’s an inflection point. The decisions we make today will determine whether garment engineering continues to lead in innovation or struggles to recover from a self-inflicted skills crisis.
- We have one of two choices:
- 1. Either ignore the knowledge gap and let an entire era of expertise disappear.
- 2. Or proactively preserve and pass down garment engineering skills to ensure a future of quality, innovation, and sustainability.