HONG KONG'S garment sector is thriving, and offers a wide range of career opportunities for people interested in the world of textiles, fashion and design.
'It's a major misconception to think the garment industry is only about manufacturing,' said Philip Yeung Kwok-wing, executive director of the Clothing Industry Training Authority (Cita).
'Every year we observe an expansion of activities, and we want to tell young people, in particular, that it's here to stay.'
The authority was established in 1975 and its original mandate was to train sewing operatives to work in local factories.
But times have changed and with most manufacturing facilities relocated to the mainland the focus is now on training people for jobs at all stages of the garment supply chain, from clothing design and product development to knitwear processing, merchandising, quality assurance and marketing.
'There is huge demand for merchandisers and other servicing jobs, which are still predominantly done in Hong Kong,' said Professor Yeung.