Chennai: Describing the footwear industry as a “burgeoning industry,” director of Central Footwear Training Institute (CFTI) K. Murali asserted that the footwear industry in the country has tremendous job potential and this potential was untapped because many felt a career in this field was meant for those belonging to ‘lower caste.’
“In the next three to six months, over 35,000 vacancies would arise for training professionals,” he said. The industry exported products worth Rs. 40,000 crore on an average annually, and Tamil Nadu contributed to about 60 per cent of the exports.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday Mr Murali informed that the CFTI, Chennai, in association with the National SC / ST Hub and National Small Industries Corporation is conducting a condensed course for six months in footwear design and production (CFDP) exclusively for SC/ST students. This skill development training is offered for free and admission is on first-cum-first served basis. There is no entrance exam and the last date for submission of forms is November 5.
CFTI, he claimed, has a track record of offering 100 per cent placements with salaries ranging between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 30,000 at the entry-level. Every month the institute mobilises 700 to 1,000 people and places them in different companies according to their skills.
This premier training institutes in the footwear sector in India conducts 7 long-term courses and 8 short-term courses. There are two long-term courses for graduates, two long term courses designed for 12th standard passed students, and two long term courses and two short term courses are available for 10th standard passed students. Four short-term courses are available for even 8th standard passed students.
