Gauri Chhabra
One industry in India that has comfortably established itself both in international as well as in the domestic market is the Leather industry. This sector is known for its consistency in high export earnings and is among the top ten foreign exchange earners for the country. Abundant raw material, skilled work force, compliance with environmental standards and growth shown by the associated industries has helped the sector to grow manifolds. Being an employment intensive sector, it creates a plethora of job opportunities for youth today.
Till recently, the industry entertained experienced professionals as there were no academic or research institutes in leather technology; however, the modern requirement to implement latest technology to produce fine range of leather product sets forth a spiral of institutes which can teach about leather and use of technology to produce effective and suitable leather products.
Leather Technology and Leather Designing
Leather Technology and Leather designing are two different courses you can choose. Though Leather designing is the popular of the two courses, a degree in leather technology or leather production is also fast gaining popularity.
Leather Technology is a branch of engineering which deals with synthesis, production and refining of leather so that it can be put into efficient use. It also deals with the synthesis of artificial leather and its efficient use to make commercial goods. It is comparatively a new branch which is gaining importance in industrial sector. If you supervise production line workers and process as per specifications. Leather technologist ensures that proper research and quality control is in place. Leather Designing is a degree in Leather Goods and Accessories Design. Leather designing is considered as a part of fashion industry. Leather designers look after the processing of raw leather to finished leather so that it can use for manufacturing goods and apparels and also designing, manufacturing and marketing of leather products.
Getting In
Leather technology is offered at degree, diploma and certificate levels on part time and full time basis. For admission into B.Sc/B.Tech in Leather designing or technology, you should have completed classes 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. You are required to clear IITJEE for IITs and AIEEE for entry into NITs. If you want to pursue M.Tech in Leather Technology, you must have a B.Tech degree.
Skillset:
As far as skillsets is concerned, you must possess an in depth understanding of technology, marketing, production and sales. You must have an impeccable flair for style, perfect artistic skills, great sense of color, textures, etc. You should also have sound knowledge of computer aided designing software, knowledge of environmental standards governed by domestic and international laws, creativity with uniqueness, commitment dedication and hard work, good health and stamina, mental ability to constantly come up with new ideas, solve problem and manage time.
Course cursor
*Bachelor of Design Leather Design
*B.Tech in Leather Technology
* Diploma in Leather Goods and Accessories Design
*Diploma in Footwear Designing and Production
*Certificate Course in Shoe Designing and Pattern Cutting
*Computer Aided Shoe Designing
*M.Tech in Leather Technology
Institute Scape
*The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi, offering Bachelor of Designing in Leather Design (4Yrs).
*The National Institute of Fashion Technology, Kolkata, offering Bachelor of Designing in Leather Design
*Govt. College of Engineering and Leather Technology, Kolkata, offering both B.Tech and M.Tech in Leather technology and advanced certificate course in Shoe and leather goods making.
*Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology, Bihar, offering B.Tech & M.Tech in Leather Technology.
*Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, offering P.G. Diploma Course in Leather Processing and Diploma course in leather processing and footwear.
*Central Footwear Training Centre, Agra, offering Post Graduate Diploma in Footwear Technology and Diploma course in footwear manufacture and design.
*Avi School of Fashion and Shoe Technology, Chandigarh, offering Certificate in Shoe Designing and Pattern Cutting and Shoe Production.
*Government Leather Institute, Agra, offering Certificate course in Leather Technology (Computer Aided Shoe Design).
About NIFT Delhi
National Institute of Fashion Design, Delhi was established in 1986 by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, in technical collaboration with FIT, New York. Since then, NIFT Delhi has produced a number of eminent alumni over the years like Rohit Bal, Ritu Beri, Manish Arora to name a few. It offers a variety of regular as well as CE programs.
B. Des. (Leather Design), a 4 yr program offered by the Department of Fashion & Apparel emphasizes on the integration of design concepts in leather apparel and products with material knowledge to respond to the requirements of specific target markets. Exposure to the industry through field trips, tannery training and industry internship is an important part of the curriculum. The multidisciplinary approach including inputs ranging from market research, material and technical knowledge for product development develops an ability in students to handle different materials for different product types in leather.
The program equips students to pursue a wide range of careers in the Leather industry in the areas of Product Development, Merchandising, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Retail and other areas. It also hones entrepreneurial skills enabling students to set up Manufacturing and Export / Domestic Units.
Career Pathways
Candidates who possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Leather Technology are eligible for good jobs in prestigious leather firms, export houses or government organizations. Those with a Diploma in Management in Footwear Technology (MFT) or Footwear Designing (DFD) also have attractive openings at executive level in the industry.
The leather industry opens multiple career options for you both in technical and design areas. Indian corporate along with foreign multinationals in this industry has made it possible to look forward to exciting employment options. As a career option, you could take up either designing or may get into production field depending upon the interest and aptitude.
You can find excellent placements as:
Leather Technologist
As a Leather technologist, you will study the use of various chemicals in the processing of leather and supervise the processing as per specifications. You would also oversee processing of skin and hide so that leather can be given a shape. The assessment of the thickness, softness, texture and color is also done by a leather technologist.
Research and Quality control:
You can also get into proper research and quality control where you will be responsible for testing and analysis of the leather. You will be required to work in labs to check the quality of the products within a production run, producing reports of the findings and attending meetings to present feedback and recommendations.
Marketing and Sales professional
Leather product companies require professionals who have some knowledge of production or quality management in leather accessories in the marketing team as they can be the most suitable person to deal with potential customers or clients. Additionally, a leather technologist working in marketing and sales department can have an effective communication with the production department with accurate specifications and requirements or demand.
Product designer
As a product designer you would create and design a new product to be sold by a business to its customers. You would need to consider all of the details: the ways people use and abuse objects, faulty products, errors made in the design process, and the desirable ways in which people wish they could use objects.
Another variant are the stylist designers who are found to be working with footwear companies .As a stylist designer, you would be responsible for updating the product in fashion and style. You would be employed by leather garment production houses and boutiques.
Process Engineer
Company relies on process engineers to develop the industrial processes that result in the products we depend on. Process engineers use chemistry principles to design and maintain chemical processes for manufactures. Many leather industries convert material in product with the help of process engineers.
Entrepreneurship
Leather industry provides great opportunities for those with an entrepreneurial bent. On gaining sufficient experience, you can also set up your own unit for production and marketing of leather based products. As far as career growth and progression is concerned, it is purely performance based and there is no limit to what you can achieve.
Summing Up
Career in the field of leather technology have gone full circle. Today, it has escalated in terms of both lucre as well as respect it earns. Therefore, if you wish to go in for some career that offers both these, go in for a career in Leather Technology.
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