Footwear Manufacturing Operative
Footwear manufacturing operatives use a range of handcraft tools and semi-automated equipment to create footwear products. They may produce many different types of footwear from fashion shoes to trainers and safety footwear.
What does a footwear manufacturing operative do?
A footwear manufacturing operative will usually be involved in each stage of the production process. This includes cutting the leather and stitching the pattern pieces together. They would also be involved in creating a ‘last,’ which is the mould which the shoe will be formed around. They would use the last to stitch the pattern pieces together in the correct shape, before fitting soles and heels to the finished product. The shoe would then be stained, polished and buffed and the lasts removed.
The salary of a footwear manufacturing operative
A footwear manufacturing operative can expect to earn between £12,000 and £14,000 a year when starting out. With experience, this may increase to between £15,000 and £22,000 a year. Those with considerable experience and more responsibilities could earn around £25,000 a year.
Hours and working environment
Footwear manufacturing operatives normally work between 37 and 40 hours a week. The work may be split into shifts.
The work is usually factory-based and an operative will usually spend much of the day on their feet. Protective equipment may be needed when working on certain machines or using certain pieces of equipment.
Skills and interests
It may be useful for someone considering a career as a footwear manufacturing operative to have some of the following skills and interests:
· practical skills in tool handling and using machinery
· the ability to follow instructions quickly and accurately
· the ability to work alone or as part of a team
· an awareness of health and safety issues
Entry into a career in footwear manufacturing
There are no formal entry requirements to become a footwear manufacturing operative, but good practical skills are essential. Employers may set a practical test at the interview stage.
It may also be useful to gain a relevant qualification; the following courses are available for people who want a career in this area:
· ABC Level 2 Certificate in apparel, footwear and leather production
· City & Guilds Level 1 or 2 in footwear manufacture
· City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ in footwear and leather products manufacture
It may also be possible to gain entry into this career through an apprenticeship. For more information about apprenticeships, visit the apprenticeship website:
www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Further training to develop a career in footwear manufacture
On-the-job training is very important and skills can be developed by working alongside more experienced colleagues. Training on the job is likely to include production methods, machine operations, health and safety and company procedures. The following qualifications are also available to help a footwear manufacturing operative develop their career:
· City & Guilds Level 1 or 2 in footwear manufacture
· City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ in footwear and leather products manufacture
A footwear manufacturing operative may be able to move into the related careers of production management, footwear design or retail buying. The following universities offer qualifications relevant to such a career move:
· Tresham College
· The London College of Fashion
· De Montfort University
· University of Northampton
For more information on university courses in this area, visit the UCAS website:
www.ucas.com/.
SATRA, a leading research and technology organisation, also offers an accredited footwear technology course, which may help a person working in this area to progress their career. For more information see the SATRA website:
www.satra.co.uk/.
Opportunities in the field of footwear manufacture
There may be opportunities for footwear manufacturing operatives with the right skills and experience to progress into supervisory roles within the company, such as management, engineering maintenance and quality control.
It may also be possible to specialise in custom-made footwear, such as luxury bespoke shoes, orthopaedic shoes or specialist historical and theatrical costume footwear.
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Qualification information (external sources)
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