Rebuilding Tigray’s textile and garment industry: the role of vocational skills development

Abstract The Tigray war has significantly impacted various manufacturing sectors and the entire economy of the Tigray Region, resulting in employment erosion, infrastructural destruction, manufacturing collapse, and disrupted social networks. While existing studies have examined the broader economic impacts of conflict, a critical gap persists in linking vocational skills development to industrial recovery in post-war contexts, particularly for labor-intensive textile and garment industries. This study employs a qualitative case study research approach, utilizing in-depth interviews and document analysis to explore the impact of the war on the textile and garment industry and the role of Vocational Skills Development (VSD) programs in its recovery and reconstruction. The findings reveal that the war has caused extensive damage to buildings, machinery, finished products, and raw materials. Vocational skills development programs address workforce shortages by reskilling employees, training new workers, and fostering adaptability through modern technologies. Theoretically, this study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a framework for understanding the role of vocational skills development in post-conflict industrial recovery. Practically, it offers actionable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and vocational training institutions to design targeted VSD programs that integrate infrastructure repair, technology adoption, and public-private partnerships. Thus, vocational skills development programs are vital for the recovery and reconstruction of the war-affected textile and garment industries, emphasizing skills development, infrastructure enhancement, and business support.