iti 4 April 2025
Footwear Maker

ITI Footwear Maker Trade Syllabus (English)

The ITI "Footwear Maker" trade is a one-year vocational training program under the Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS), governed by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). This course equips trainees with skills in designing, cutting, stitching, assembling, and finishing footwear, including orthopedic and standard shoes, while adhering to safety and quality standards. The syllabus integrates theoretical knowledge, practical shoemaking techniques, and employability skills to prepare students for roles such as shoemakers, orthopedic footwear makers, or quality inspectors in footwear manufacturing units, leather industries, or retail brands, or as self-employed professionals running shoe repair shops or small-scale footwear businesses.

Course Overview

  • Duration: 1 year (2 semesters, each 6 months)
  • NSQF Level: Level 4
  • Eligibility: Minimum 8th grade pass (or equivalent)
  • Objective: To train individuals in professional footwear crafting, material selection, and production techniques to meet industrial and customer needs.

Detailed Syllabus Breakdown (English)

1. Trade Theory (Theoretical Knowledge)

Covers foundational concepts in footwear making, leather technology, and safety practices.

  • Semester 1
    • Introduction to Footwear Making
      • Overview of footwear industry: history, scope, career opportunities.
      • Types of footwear: casual, formal, sports, orthopedic, safety shoes.
      • Role of a footwear maker: design, production, quality control.
    • Human Foot Anatomy
      • Foot structure: bones, arches, joints, ligaments.
      • Foot measurements: size systems (Indian, UK, US), fitting principles.
      • Foot defects: flat feet, high arches – impact on shoe design.
    • Materials for Footwear
      • Leather: types (full-grain, suede, nubuck), properties, grading.
      • Non-leather materials: canvas, rubber, synthetic fabrics, PU.
      • Components: soles, uppers, linings, adhesives, threads, eyelets.
    • Tools and Equipment
      • Hand tools: knives, awls, hammers, punches, skiving tools.
      • Machines: sewing, clicking, skiving, lasting, sole attaching – operation, maintenance.
      • Safety practices: handling sharp tools, chemicals, machine guards.
    • Footwear Design and Patterns
      • Design principles: aesthetics, functionality, ergonomics.
      • Pattern making: templates for uppers, soles, linings.
      • Size systems: last measurements, standardization, grading.
    • Safety and Environment
      • Workplace safety: fire extinguishers, first aid, PPE (gloves, masks).
      • Environmental concerns: leather tanning, waste disposal, eco-friendly materials.
      • Ergonomics: posture, repetitive strain prevention in workshops.
  • Semester 2
    • Footwear Construction Techniques
      • Cutting: hand cutting, machine cutting for leather, synthetics.
      • Stitching: hand sewing, machine sewing – types (lock, chain stitch).
      • Assembly: lasting, sole attachment (cementing, nailing, vulcanizing).
    • Orthopedic Footwear
      • Design considerations: corrective shoes, arch supports, cushioning.
      • Customization: measuring foot deformities, crafting special lasts.
      • Materials: lightweight, flexible, durable for medical use.
    • Finishing and Quality Control
      • Finishing: polishing, dyeing, edge trimming, branding.
      • Quality checks: seam strength, fit, durability, aesthetic appeal.
      • Defect rectification: restitching, regluing, reshaping.
    • Costing and Production
      • Material costing: calculating leather, sole, accessory costs.
      • Production planning: batch production, time management.
      • Waste management: minimizing leather scraps, recycling materials.
    • Industry Trends
      • Sustainable footwear: biodegradable materials, vegan leather.
      • Technology: CAD for design, 3D printing for lasts, automation.
      • Market demands: athleisure, eco-conscious designs, customization.
    • Professional Skills
      • Entrepreneurship: starting a footwear workshop or repair shop.
      • Marketing: branding, selling through retail, e-commerce.
      • Customer interaction: understanding client needs, custom orders.

2. Trade Practical (Hands-On Skills)

Focuses on practical footwear crafting, from design to finishing.

  • Semester 1
    • Tool and Machine Handling
      • Using hand tools: cutting knives, awls, hammers for leather work.
      • Operating machines: setting up sewing, skiving, clicking machines.
      • Maintenance: cleaning, oiling, troubleshooting equipment.
    • Material Selection
      • Identifying leather: checking grain, thickness, defects.
      • Testing non-leather materials: tensile strength, flexibility.
      • Sorting components: soles, linings, threads for specific designs.
    • Pattern Making
      • Measuring feet: taking dimensions, creating size charts.
      • Preparing patterns: drafting uppers, soles on paper, cardboard.
      • Grading patterns: scaling for different sizes using lasts.
    • Cutting Practice
      • Hand cutting: leather, linings with knives, scissors.
      • Machine cutting: using clicking press for precision cuts.
      • Minimizing waste: optimizing leather sheet layouts.
    • Safety Drills
      • Practicing PPE: wearing gloves, masks during cutting, gluing.
      • Fire safety: using extinguishers in mock drills.
      • First aid: treating minor cuts, burns in workshops.
    • Project Work
      • Crafting a basic sandal: cutting, stitching, assembling components.
      • Documenting process: recording material use, time taken.
  • Semester 2
    • Stitching and Assembly
      • Hand stitching: preparing threads, sewing uppers, soles.
      • Machine stitching: lock stitch, decorative stitching on shoes.
      • Lasting: pulling uppers over lasts, shaping toe, heel areas.
    • Sole Attachment
      • Gluing: applying adhesives for sole bonding, curing process.
      • Nailing/stitching: attaching soles for durability.
      • Vulcanizing: practicing rubber sole attachment in labs.
    • Orthopedic Footwear Practice
      • Measuring deformities: creating templates for corrective shoes.
      • Crafting samples: arch supports, cushioned insoles.
      • Testing fit: ensuring comfort, balance for special needs.
    • Finishing Techniques
      • Polishing: applying dyes, creams for leather shine.
      • Trimming: smoothing edges with knives, glass pieces.
      • Packing: boxing shoes, adding inserts, labels.
    • Quality Control
      • Inspecting shoes: checking seams, fit, finish in mock batches.
      • Rectifying defects: restitching loose seams, regluing soles.
      • Conducting trials: wear tests for comfort, durability.
    • Project Work
      • Designing a complete shoe: from sketch to finished product (e.g., formal shoe, sneaker).
      • Presenting a portfolio: including designs, photos, cost estimates.

3. Workshop Calculation and Science

Provides mathematical and scientific support for footwear tasks.

  • Semester 1
    • Arithmetic: calculating material quantities, pattern scaling, costs.
    • Measurements: converting sizes (mm, cm, inches), area of leather.
    • Science: leather properties, adhesive bonding, tensile strength.
  • Semester 2
    • Calculations: estimating production costs, wastage percentages.
    • Geometry: designing patterns, calculating curves for lasts.
    • Science: chemical reactions in tanning, dyeing, material durability.

4. Engineering Drawing

Focuses on technical drawing for footwear designs.

  • Semester 1: Sketching shoe components, lasts, patterns.
  • Semester 2: Creating detailed designs for uppers, soles, assemblies.

5. Employability Skills

Enhances job readiness and soft skills.

  • Semester 1
    • Communication skills: interacting with suppliers, clients.
    • Time management: prioritizing cutting, stitching tasks.
    • Basic IT skills: using CAD software for design, inventory tracking.
  • Semester 2
    • Entrepreneurship: planning a footwear business, costing products.
    • Teamwork: collaborating with designers, production staff.
    • Problem-solving: addressing material shortages, design flaws.

Assessment and Certification

  • Examinations: Conducted semester-wise with theoretical and practical components.
  • Certification: Successful candidates receive the National Trade Certificate (NTC) from NCVT, recognized nationally and internationally.
  • Evaluation: Based on shoemaking skills, pattern accuracy, quality control, and project work.

Career Opportunities

  • Employment: Shoemaker, orthopedic footwear maker, quality inspector in footwear factories, leather industries, or retail brands.
  • Self-Employment: Starting a shoe repair shop, custom footwear business, or small-scale manufacturing unit.
  • Further Studies: Diploma in Footwear Technology, Leather Technology, or B.Sc. in Fashion Design.

Note

  • This syllabus aligns with the latest NCVT guidelines and may vary slightly based on institutional or state-specific requirements.
  • For the most current version, refer to the Directorate General of Training (DGT) or consult your local ITI.

Trade Type

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