ITI Trade: Leather Goods Maker

The Leather Goods Maker trade offered under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) is powered by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). It is a job-oriented trade designed to create a skilled workforce in the leather industry, one of the most dynamic and thriving sectors in India. This trade plays a crucial role in meeting the requirements of both domestic and international markets. The Leather Goods Maker program is ideal for those seeking employment in government and private sectors and is equally powerful in promoting self-employment. Through its comprehensive structure, the trade is aligned with the needs of the leather industry, ensuring that trainees are fully prepared to meet industrial demands.

Overview of the Course

The Leather Goods Maker course is delivered nationwide through a network of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). It is a one-year course, divided into two semesters. The curriculum includes two major areas:

  1. Domain Area – This includes Trade Theory and Trade Practical, which focus on imparting professional skills and specialized knowledge related to leather goods manufacturing.
  2. Core Area – This includes Employability Skills, which equip trainees with essential communication, technical English, soft skills, entrepreneurship, and life skills.

On successful completion of the training, the candidates are awarded the National Trade Certificate (NTC) by NCVT, which is recognized both nationally and internationally, opening doors to a wide range of career opportunities.

Job Role of Leather Goods Maker

A Leather Goods Maker specializes in creating various leather products. The primary responsibilities include sewing fabric, preparing patterns, and making full-size canvas models of fur, leather, or synthetic materials. These models are used to manufacture an array of products such as gloves, suitcases, purses, belts, whips, and other fancy leather goods. Products are made either according to customer preferences or the latest market designs.

This profession offers diverse employability opportunities ranging from self-employment to industrial jobs. Graduates from this course can find work in small, medium, and large-scale leather goods manufacturing units. Additionally, they can start their own leather product businesses, catering to both local and global markets.

Occupations Available After Training:

  • Designer
  • Pattern Maker
  • Stitcher (Leather Goods and Garments)
  • Supervisor and Foreman (Leather Goods Manufacturing)

Specific Job Roles and Responsibilities

  1. Stitcher (Leather Goods and Garments):
    A stitcher, also known as a sewer, is responsible for sewing fabric, fur, leather, or synthetic materials to produce garments and articles. Their role is crucial in the final assembly of products ensuring quality finishes.
  2. Pattern Maker (Fur and Leather Goods):
    A pattern maker prepares patterns and full-size canvas models of garments and leather articles. They ensure the patterns are accurate and match customer requirements or the latest designs. Their work guides the cutters and finishers in producing quality products.
  3. Supervisor and Foreman (Leather Goods Making):
    They oversee the manufacturing process of fancy leather goods like gloves, belts, suitcases, and purses. Their responsibilities include selecting suitable materials, ensuring adherence to customer specifications, supervising workers, and maintaining quality control throughout production.

Key Competencies Acquired in the Trade

During the one-year duration of the Leather Goods Maker trade, trainees undergo comprehensive skill development. They are trained on Professional Skills, Professional Knowledge, and Employability Skills, along with project work and extracurricular activities to enhance confidence and practical understanding.

Semester-Wise Course Coverage:

First Semester:

  • Basic safety and environmental practices, including the use of fire extinguishers and artificial respiratory resuscitation.
  • Familiarization with trade tools, their standardization, and maintenance.
  • Selection and verification of leather types and their characteristics.
  • Designing and sketching various leather goods, identifying hides and skins, and preparing patterns.
  • Performing pattern designing and cutting.
  • Sewing operations for assembling and manufacturing cut-edged articles such as coin purses, key cases, and gent’s belts.
  • Understanding substitute materials for leather and their applications.

Second Semester:

  • Care and maintenance of tools and equipment while observing safety precautions.
  • Identification, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of machines used in leather goods making.
  • Selecting appropriate leather and ornamental materials to create various leather goods using both hand-operated and electrical machines.
  • Learning and applying the sequence of operations in leather goods production.
  • Operating advanced machines like hydraulic cutting and clicking machines, strap cutters, splitters, embossing machines, cementing equipment, zigzag sewing machines, flatbed, and post-bed stitching machines.

Generic Learning Outcomes

The generic learning outcomes foster the personal and professional development of trainees. These include:

  1. Practicing safe working techniques.
  2. Complying with environmental regulations and maintaining housekeeping standards.
  3. Providing basic first-aid in case of emergencies.
  4. Developing teamwork abilities and effective communication using technical English.
  5. Contributing to energy conservation and minimizing environmental impact.
  6. Understanding personal finance, entrepreneurship, and organizational skills to enhance personal and societal growth.

Specific Learning Outcomes

Semester I:

  • Selection and verification of various types of fancy and finished leather.
  • Sketching and designing leather goods and preparing patterns.
  • Performing accurate pattern cutting and designing.
  • Executing sewing operations for producing cut-edged articles.
  • Applying embossing techniques for finishing products.
  • Understanding substitute materials for leather goods.
  • Implementing economical cutting methods and production cost calculations while maintaining quality control.

Semester II:

  • Maintenance and troubleshooting of leather goods manufacturing tools and equipment.
  • Selection of leather and decorative materials for manufacturing leather goods.
  • Operating hand and electrically powered machines to produce finished products.
  • Managing production operations in a sequenced manner.
  • Using specialized machines for cutting, splitting, embossing, cementing, and stitching processes.

Career Opportunities and Future Scope

The Leather Goods Maker trade offers vast opportunities for career advancement and entrepreneurship. Graduates can secure employment in leather industries as designers, stitchers, pattern makers, or supervisors. Additionally, they can start their own businesses by setting up small leather manufacturing units. With the rising demand for eco-friendly and designer leather products in both national and international markets, skilled leather goods makers have a bright and prosperous future.

Industry Demand

India’s leather industry is one of the largest in the world, with a strong demand for skilled professionals in leather goods production. The Leather Goods Maker trade ensures that trainees gain the expertise required to meet the industry’s high standards, making them job-ready for both the domestic and global job markets.

Conclusion

The Leather Goods Maker ITI trade is a highly specialized and job-oriented course that equips candidates with the skills needed in the leather manufacturing industry. It empowers individuals with professional skills, practical knowledge, and employability skills necessary for personal and professional growth. Whether seeking employment or pursuing entrepreneurship, the trade opens up numerous avenues for success in the leather industry.

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