SHIBAJI ROYCHOUDHURY speaks with RAJEEV lAKHARA about the Indian footwear industry and whether a career in this sector is a lucrative option
Where does the footwear industry in India standIJ
As per the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), the Indian footwear industry growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 15 per cent is likely to reach about Rs38,700 crore by 2015 from the present level of about Rs22,000 crore.
Courses at FDDI...
The institute has designed its courses keeping in view the employment opportunities and the needs of the industry. The course module are prepared in such a way in which one gets full exposure to the theoretical as well as practical approach preparing them to take up the challenges of the realities of the industry. Courses offered by the institute are of international standard.
The impact of the new budget on the leather industryIJ
leather goods is a thrust sector for exports. The reduction on the duty on specified machinery for manufacture of leather and leather goods, including footwear from 7.5 per cent to 5 per cent announced by the Budget will definitely boost the sector as it will lower the production cost.
The potential for the leather design, technology and management sectors...
Footwear and allied industry which occupies a place of prominence in the Indian economy in view of its massive potential for employment, growth and exports is growing at a rate of more than 25 per cent per annum. Today, India the most favourable sourcing and manufacturing base destination for the leading countries like Italy, Germany, UK, USA, Hong Kong, France, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium.
The growing retail sector in India with footwear and leather holding a premium share in the segment offers lucrative career opportunities. The recent announcement by the Government clearing Foreign Direct Investment in retail has created positive sentiments in the retail sector. Increased consumerism with a capacity to spend on luxury items and increased spending power of Indians has grown the luxury market which witnessed a robust growth of more than 20 per cent over the past year provides great career opportunity in this area as well.
Challenges faced...
The Indian leather industry is a noticeable player in the world footwear and leather market, it has shortcomings in the manufacturing segment, which lacks high-value investment. Infrastructure needs to be improved and it must be made available to all the sectors. There are some bottlenecks like lack of fresh investments to augment tanning capacities, lack of modernisation of the exiting industries, lack of eco-friendly attitude, dearth of trained and skilled manpower in the domestic industry, not following the specifications, as per the requirements of the buyer and absence of proper marketing personnel.
Your views on the prevalent state of artisans...
The prevalent State of artisans, their skills and infrastructural facilities available within India are similar to craftsmen and artisans of other sectors that are gaining a niche in domestic market. There is an immediate need to train the artisans sector on a modern pattern so as to upgrade the end product to enhance credibility of the leather sector.
What are your institutes special focus areas in reviving the domestic industriesIJ
The institute has realised its responsibility of providing help and guidance to the industry. It has also realised that it has a very serious stake in the proper and relevant development of FDDI in the right direction as it provides Human Resource to the industry, without which progress is not possible. The institute has added the latest curriculum in its courses in view of the fast changing trends and is imparting very good training to its students, which will naturally lead to the promotion of the Indian leather, footwear, and fashion industry and also the emerging retail sector.
To enhance the existing skill set of the industry and to make them competent and aware of modern and improvised techniques for enhancing the productivity and contribute significantly in the national economy, FDDI organises various workshops for skill development and skill diversification at regular intervals.
Any international projectsIJ
There are a few — twining programme at llPTI, Ethiopia that involves training the trainers, developing curriculum and designing customised programmes based on the need of the industry. Six months technical training programme in leather incubator of lEA at Botswana for entrepreneur development. Master service agreement with Nike Inc.