New Delhi|India|May' 2009: Edexcel UK’s largest awarding body for academic and vocational qualifications has partnered with Institute of Apparel Management (IAM), promoted by Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) to introduce their BTEC qualification as part of the consolidated. The 4 year Fashion & Lifestyle Design programme & 3 year Fashion & Textile Merchandising programme will now include Edexcel’s BTEC certification on completion of the first 2 years opening up many more options to students.

This programme will equip students with relevant skills and enhance their prospects in the Fashion & Apparel sectors. Students interested in making a mark in the Indian apparel industry now have the opportunity to undertake an international qualification while having opportunities to gain multiple certifications. This association will add considerable value and the entire proposition consisting of an international degree topping up Edexcel’s BTEC HND qualification will greatly benefit students.

The Textile and Apparel sector is the largest employer and foreign exchange earner for India employing 35 million people directly with the Apparel sector alone having over 6 million employees. The ever changing Retail, Fashion & Lifestyle habits have made this sector very competitive requiring dynamism and versatility not only in production technology but also in design, sourcing, delivery mechanism etc. The sector requires a skill-based education system to match its growing employment needs.

Highlighting the quality of education being provided by Institute of Apparel Management, Dr. Koshy, Director General, IAM said; “IAM is focused on shaping industry ready professionals who are ready to hit the ground running in this fiercely competitive industry. Through our academic partnership with Edexcel, we will focus on imparting internationally benchmarked education at the Institutes in Gurgaon and Sanpada, Navi Mumbai.

Speaking about the association, Mr. Samiulla Baig, Regional Director, Sub-continent, Edexcel, said; “There is a pressing need to produce employable graduates with globally relevant skills. Edexcel is partnering with many education institutions with work-related qualifications. We are glad to be working with a prestigious institute like IAM under India’s largest Export Promotion Council, AEPC who have chosen Edexcel’s BTEC HND qualification to provide the apparel sector with talent in a global context providing progression abroad in various countries”.

BTECs are professional qualifications suitable for a wide range of learners, built to accommodate a broad spectrum of learner ambitions. They provide a more practical; real-world approach to learning while also equipping learners with unique transferable skills.

The programme will be offered to applicants fulfilling requisite criteria in Gurgaon and Navi Mumbai based on seat availability.