Shoe Technology - Putting The Right Foot Forward

The shoe industry has turned into a very huge industry with time. Shoes are no longer means to merely protect the feet. They have taken on an entirely independent and strong identity. And with this, there has been a huge growth in the shoe industry. With all this happening at a very fast pace, the demand for Shoe Technologists in the industry is very high. Their scope of work has also increased manifold.

The job of a Shoe Technologist encompasses designing footwear products and deciding on the material that has to be used in their production. While designing a product, they have to keep in mind the upcoming trends in the market and the demands of the consumers. While deciding upon the material to be used, they have to apply all their technical skills and knowledge in determining which material can provide maximum comfort as well as strength. They also have to design the product in such a way that the performance gets enhanced. Their expertise and skills are particularly required in the athletic shoe and sports shoe industry as the making of such products involves a lot of technicalities and a significant improvement in their performance is constantly needed.

A shoe technologist works not independently but in association with many designers and engineers. Together they come up with newer designs, hold discussions on the quality of products, review the designs for the same, put the products to test and then analyze the test results. The work of a shoe technologist comprises of a huge amount of research that has to be done in the footwear industry as well as outside it. They constantly have to keep working toward not only bettering the quality of the already existing products, but also raising the standard of the products to come and delivering high- quality footwear.

To venture into this industry, one does not have to take up any specific course at the class 12 levels. Graduation can also be done in any stream. One however, does need to undertake a diploma course of two years in Management with Footwear Technology (PGDM- FT) as the concentration. Entry into this course can b availed on the basis of an all India entrance exam conducted by the Footwear Design and Development Institute which offers many other courses of this kind along with it too. Another institute that offers this course is the Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai.

The pay scale for shoe technologists is pretty good. In India, one can easily make 2,50,000 INR to 3,50,000 INR on a yearly basis as a Footwear Technician or a Trainee Footwear Designer. As an Executive Footwear Technician or Executive Footwear Designer, one can make 3,50,000 INR to 5,00,000 per annum.

To be successful in this field, one needs to have a very good knowledge about the various kinds of shoes and especially sports shoes and athletic footwear. A strong passion for the job and the ability to take on opportunities that present themselves are important. One’s problem- solving skills should also be very sound.