Value Chain of Leather Industry Needs Skill Development

There is a skill gap in various parts of leather goods value chain which includes the leather goods sector as well as ancillary industries such as tanneries, and sales channels such as modern retail including organized market and e-commerce, according to a study.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy has said that as per a study conducted by KPMG Advisory Services Private Limited for National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) on human resource and skill requirements in leather and leather goods sector, there is a skill gap in various parts of leather goods value chain.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Rudy said, the Government has identified leather sector as one of the focus sector under Make in India programme launched in September, 2014.

The Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) under Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been imparting training in the leather sector.

Till March 31, 2015, FDDI has trained 2,68,993 trainees & placed 2,17,203 candidates in various footwear industries across the country.

In addition, National Skill Development Corporation through its training partners is also imparting training in this sector. As on June 30, 2015, about 20,000 persons have been trained by NSDC’s partners in leather sector.

The National Skill Development Corporation has also approved setting up of Leather Sector Skill Council for coordination, creation of National Operating Standards, training certification in leather sector. The Leather Sector Skill Council has developed 265 National Occupational Standards (NOS) and 50 Qualification Packs for developing skill training curriculum for various job roles in leather sector, he said.