Huge opportunity for footwear technologists in India today

Shoes today mean more than just footwear. With ­growing demand, the scope of work for a footwear technologist has also become wider. A footwear technologist not only designs footwear product according to ­fashion trends but also decides on the materials to be used.

Shoes today mean more than just footwear. With ­growing demand, the scope of work for a footwear technologist has also become wider. A footwear technologist not only designs footwear product according to ­fashion trends but also decides on the materials to be used.

With-many-global-retail-chains-actively-sourcing-footwear-from-India-there-is-a-huge-opportunity-for-footwear-technologists-Photo-AP

According to a study titled Indian Footwear Industry: An Analysis released by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, the sector growing at a compound annual growth rate of about 15%, is likely to touch ­approximately Rs. 38,700 crore this year from the current level of around Rs. 22,000 crore.

Familiarity with the ­fashion industry, illustration skills, broad knowledge of ­textiles, leather and materials and an understanding of shoe ­engineering are some of the basic skills for becoming a shoe technologist.

Proficiency with computer-assisted design programmes and ­modelling ­software is also considered to be an asset in this profession.