Jobs and career opportunities in untapped India’s footwear industry

A perfect footwear is hard to find, especially in a country like India which footwear markets are flooded with production for mass consumption or foreign brands. This is because the country lacks specialisation of the skill as thee are not many takers for footwear production as a career option. And the footwear industry remains untapped. But it holds out a huge job potential and career opportunities.

Also Read | Sexual harassment at work place: Government sets up Group of Ministers for women’s safety

In the next three to six months, there would be over 35,000 vacancies for trained professionals, K Murali, director Central Footwear Training Institute (CFTI), said.

“In our place working in footwear industry is considered as a profession meant only for lower castes. It is a false mindset. Big players are coming in, brands like Adidas already has a factory in Tada, Nike is putting up its second unit at Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri,” he told PTI on the sidelines of the launch of ‘Condensed Course in Footwear Design and Production’ in Chennai.

Read More | Pihu trailer: Story of a two-year old home alone girl will give you chills

The CFTI is an autonomous organisation under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry. Several companies have placement opportunities and CFTI mobilises 700-1000 people every month, Murali said.

“Companies are approaching us for want of people. Every month we are mobilising 700 to 1,000 people and placing them in different companies according to their skills,” he said.

1. The Condensed Course in Footwear Design and Production is exclusively for SC/ST students.
2. The programme is jointly offered by National SC/ST Hub and National Small Industries Corporation free of cost.
3. The programme includes free boarding and lodging.
4. The programme offers seven long-term courses and eight short-term courses.