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Footwear designs and technology - An Introduction - 2-Sep-2009

There always exist a psychological view that just as one�s outfit reflects his/her merit, one�s footwear also helps replicating his/her personality.

Footwear Technology refers to Footwear designs, manufacture and its Technology.  Earlier, this field was a non-formal one concerned with the employment of casual labourers.   However, from the last century onwards, this field has turned into a new hi-tech field.

India is next to China in the global footwear manufacture.  It is estimated that within a few years this field will reach 20 to 30% growth. Because of this abundant growth, this field is expected to gain merit and require more number of trained specialists.

Divisions in the field

There are three divisions, namely Designing, Production and Marketing. In the Designing Division, attention is paid to creating new designs and catering to  customer's changing requirements.  In other fields, the set designs can be altered according to the requirements of the customer.   However, it is impossible in footwear design. The prime necessity of this field is to manufacture footwear with accurate measurement. Persons in this field  must be skilful and possess new thinking along with innovative ideas, add aesthetic designs and make the footwear into useful products.

Required qualities

Hard work, interest in knowing about new scientific and technological devices, imaginative power and creativity are the required qualities for persons choosing this field.

Educational qualifications

For a short-term course in Footwear Technology a pass in 10th std is enough.  A pass in plus two is essential to study Footwear Designs and Technology. Those who want to serve in Footwear Management and Supervising jobs, must have a degree in any Science subject  with experience and training.  

As the raw materials of this field are available in plenty in India, the field of Leather which includes in it the Footwear field has a great demand both in India and Foreign countries.  Moreover, the number of consumers availing designed products is in large quantity. There is also greater scope for export.  Hence, this field experiences fast growth.

In the year 1963, the Government of India established the Central  Footwear Training Center at Agra in UP,to fulfill the needs of Footwear experts. Likewise, in the year 1986, it established at Noida, Footwear Design and Development Institute. Hence, the gap between Footwear Design and Development has been removed.  This institution offers varied courses on Footwear at the international standard. 

Jobs

Those who have completed Management courses in this field work as Management Trainee, Assistant Manager or Manager in one of the following fields..,Footwear related Production, Planning, Procurement, Sales, Marketing, Merchandising and Material Sourcing.  Generally,  these concerns are either with Exports organizations or with International Consumer organizations.  They involve in creating new shapes and designs for the future requirements.  They also get scope to start new business on their own.   They also have chances to work in renowned Footwear concerns like - Reebok, Adidas, Nike,  Bata, Liberty, Lakhani, Tata, Mirza, Bava and Lee Cooper.

Talented and creative people can earn up to Rs 10,000 pm in the beginning itself.   If they are in Supervising positions, they receive a salary from Rs.5000 to 7500 pm.  Those who join as Managers can receive a salary of Rs 6,500 to 9,000 pm in the beginning.

Because of the steady  increase in population this field has a bright future.  It is expected that this industry will reach  a value of 40 crores within 5 years.

The educational institutions offering courses on Footwear Designs:

A Patronized Member of Textile Institute, UK
C4142 Site C Industrial Area, Sikandra Agra
Uttar Pradesh
Email: info@cftiagra.org.in , cftiagra@indiatimes.com
Website: www.cftiagra.org.in