A skill development training program was recently held at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Skill Development Centre in Mumbai’s Kandivali (East) for the leather workers’ community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Piyush Goyal initiated the program to equip traditional workers with modern technical skills, aiming to enhance self-reliance and boost employment opportunities. The training, conducted by expert trainers from the Central Footwear Training Institute, focused on manufacturing various types of footwear by blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary production techniques.
The initiative, which aimed to uplift underprivileged sections engaged in traditional occupations, provided hands-on training to 20 participants over a period from January 27 to February 24. The program’s goal is to create sustainable employment opportunities and economically empower communities that have historically relied on informal roadside work. Participants were trained in producing Derby boots, stitched footwear for men, and footwear for women, enabling them to transition from cobbling on footpaths to independent shoe-making.
Mithun Kumar Rajput, a trainer from the institute, lauded the program for introducing leather footwear technology training in Mumbai and transforming the lives of the trainees. Previously working as cobblers on the roadside, the trainees can now independently craft new shoes, sandals, and slippers, significantly increasing their earning potential. Beneficiaries like Ramchandra Ahire emphasized the positive impact of the training, noting that the new skills acquired during the 25-day program have the potential to enhance their income and improve their working conditions drastically.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to integrate traditional skills with modern industry requirements, facilitating the transition of workers from marginalized backgrounds from informal labor to more structured and profitable livelihoods.
