Footwear Maker | ITI Today

ITI Trade: Footwear Maker

The Footwear Maker trade, powered by NCVT, is a job-oriented program designed to meet the growing demands of both government and private sectors. It offers excellent opportunities for self-employment and is tailored to fulfill the industrial requirements of Indian as well as international markets.

🔹 About the Course

The Footwear Maker trade under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) is delivered through a nationwide network of ITIs. This one-year program (divided into two semesters) focuses on both Domain and Core areas:

Domain Area: Trade Theory & Practical – imparts essential professional skills and technical knowledge.
Core Area: Employability Skills – develops core competencies, communication skills, and life skills.

Upon successful completion, candidates are awarded the National Trade Certificate (NTC) by NCVT, recognized across industries worldwide.

🔹 What You Will Learn

The program trains candidates in footwear designing, pattern making, and manufacturing techniques. The course covers:

Studying orthopaedic footwear designs and preparing specialized footwear for customers with foot or leg deformities.
Pattern development, material selection, and component cutting (upper, lining, sole, etc.).
Hand shoemaking techniques including pressing, shaping, gluing, and stitching leather components.
Ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and minimal wastage in material usage.
Use of hand tools such as knives (rapi) and other shoemaking equipment.

🔹 Career Opportunities

After completing the Footwear Maker trade, trainees have a wide scope of employment options, including:

Shoemaker (Orthopaedic)
Hand Shoemaker
Footwear Manufacturing Units
Footwear Design & Repair Workshops
Self-Employment & Entrepreneurship

Trainees are skilled to work in industrial setups, contractual jobs, or start their own ventures in footwear production and customization.

Trades Summery

Job Role: Shoemaker (Orthopaedic & Hand)

Shoemaker, Orthopaedic

An Orthopaedic Shoemaker specializes in crafting customized footwear, primarily using leather, for individuals with foot or leg deformities. The role involves:

Studying drawings, specifications, or taking direct measurements to meet specific customer needs.
Selecting suitable leather and, if necessary, arranging for special lasts.
Preparing patterns, cutting parts by hand, thinning edges, and shaping components.
Gluing, sewing, and assembling the upper, sole, and heel with precision.
Performing tasks such as punching eyelets, building up soles and heels, trimming, and finishing.
Applying final treatments like staining, polishing, or painting to ensure quality and comfort.
Taking plaster casts and preparing specialized drawings when required.

Shoemaker, Hand

A Hand Shoemaker makes complete shoes or other footwear, primarily tailored for individual customers. Key tasks include:

Measuring feet and studying the design of the footwear.
Selecting and estimating materials like leather, lining, and soles.
Cutting components accurately using traditional tools like knives (rapi) with minimal wastage.
Skiving, cementing, sewing, and assembling footwear components by hand or machine.
Shaping uppers, attaching soles, heels, and finishing edges by trimming and polishing.
Conducting quality checks and making necessary adjustments to ensure consistency.
May also repair or modify existing footwear.

Trade Summary: Footwear Maker

The Footwear Maker trade is a one-year vocational training program (two semesters) under NCVT, designed to provide in-depth skills for professional footwear manufacturing. This trade covers Professional Skill, Professional Knowledge, Employability Skills, Project Work, and On-the-Job Training.

Course Structure

Semester I

Introduction to safety, environmental regulations, and fire safety.
Understanding trade tools, foot anatomy, common foot deformities, and size systems.
Learning about leather sources, types, and cutting techniques.
Mastery of pattern making, computer-aided design (CAD), component cutting, and tool sharpening.
Training in grinding, stitching, designing, and template making for various footwear types.

Semester II

Advanced skills in closing, skiving, folding, and use of different adhesives.
Sorting and matching of cut components; preparing toe & counter stiffeners, drafting, and lasting.
Operation and maintenance of molding machines.
Complete insole preparation, sole attaching, welt stitching, bottom filling, heel fixing, and finishing.
Making fashionable footwear and boots, detecting product defects, and applying corrective measures.
Material calculation, wastage reduction, product testing, and cost estimation as per BS, DIN, and ISO standards.

Generic Learning Outcomes

Apply safe working practices.
Comply with environmental regulations and housekeeping.
Assist in exigencies and administer basic first aid.
Communicate effectively using technical English and soft skills.
Promote energy conservation and reduce environmental impact.
Manage personal finance and practice entrepreneurship for personal and societal growth.

Specific Learning Outcomes

Semester I

Understanding foot anatomy, defects, and size systems.
Mastering manual and CAD-based design, pattern making, and component preparation.
Performing cutting, grinding, and stitching operations.
Maintenance of tools, machinery, and safety practices.
Economical cutting and stitching techniques to optimize resources.

Semester II

Advanced techniques in closing, lasting, and assembly operations.
Proficient use of adhesives, molding machines, and component matching.
Skilled in sole stitching, welt stitching, heel fixing, and final finishing.
Creation of modern, fashionable footwear, and quality control practices.
Assessment of material consumption, wastage reduction, and cost estimation.