Footwear manufacturer
Reference Number: ST0202
Details of standard
Footwear Manufacturer apprenticeship standard
A footwear manufacturer is someone who produces children’s, ladies’ or men’s shoes, boots, sports and dance footwear, trainers or slippers within a factory or smaller studio production environment. Footwear manufacturing is a highly respected, skilled trade.
The British footwear manufacturing industry has a very high reputation internationally, and supports the pursuit of excellence in its traditional craft skills whilst also embracing innovation and technology. There are approximately 30 larger footwear manufacturers in the UK and 60 smaller specialist footwear making businesses. They manufacture circa 5.6million pairs of shoes per year, with a value of £380 million. Almost half of the footwear produced in the UK is exported. The industry employs 4000 people, approximately half of those are footwear manufacturers.
Footwear manufacturers may work in a small-scale operation making specialist or bespoke/personalised footwear, through to larger factories with extensive teams and departments, usually producing larger runs of the same piece of footwear. Regardless of which methods the employers use, footwear manufacturers know and understand the end-to-end process of how to manufacture a piece of footwear. The working hours are typically Monday to Friday.
Footwear manufacturers work quickly and accurately using hand tools, technical equipment and machinery. They consistently and accurately follow their employer’s specifications for each piece of footwear within agreed timescales and to the required quality standard. They have great attention to detail and quality and are ever mindful of health and safety.
Footwear manufacturers are very much part of a team, they report to Team Leaders, Supervisors or Owners. They may also interact with Production Managers, General Managers and Quality Managers and production colleagues. In smaller firms, footwear manufacturers may also deal directly with clients and designers.
Typical day-to-day duties may include:
- Cutting materials (mostly leather)
- Skiving (thinning the material)
- Closing (sewing the upper part of the footwear),
- Lasting (forming the footwear)
- Attaching the sole
- Finishing the footwear
- Quality inspection and packing to company specification
Some Footwear Manufacturers choose to stay in production, while others progress to team leadership, management and beyond. Further training and production experience in making footwear may also lead to highly skilled specialist production roles crafting the very highest quality footwear.
Requirements: Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
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WORK ASPECTS |
KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING OF: |
SKILLS – CAN: |
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Health, Safety and the Environment
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Implement workplace safety processes by:
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Footwear Construction Process
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Produce footwear products in line with specification, which may include;
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Footwear Materials, Tools and Equipment
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Footwear Work Practices
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Behaviours:
Footwear manufacturers:
- Take a proactive approach to Health & Safety procedures, personally and towards colleagues.
- Demonstrate a positive mind-set towards maintaining high standards of quality, precision and excellence at all times.
- Are self-motivated and punctual at all times.
- Take positive and proactive approach to respectful communication and team working.
- Respond positively and flexibly to change, new requirements and changing priorities.
- Recognise and appreciate equality and diversity in the workplace.
Entry Requirements
Individual employers will set the selection criteria and specify the entry requirements applicable to their area of work.
English & maths
Apprentices without level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for level 2 English and maths prior to taking the end-point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeships English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.
Level
This is a level 2 apprenticeship2
Duration
Typically, 12-15 months
Review Date
This standard will be reviewed after 3 years
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