Skill India certifies 500 skilled candidates under RPL for skill in footwear manufacturing

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey on November 8, 2019, inaugurated ‘Meet at Agra 2019’, an annual exhibition-cum-fair organised by Agra Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Chamber (AFMEC) at Agra Trade Centre, Uttar Pradesh.

The minister announced and distributed Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certificates to 500 candidates to boost their morale in the presence of several dignitaries including Puran Davar, President, AFMEC and P R Aqeel Ahmed, Chairman, Council for Leather Exports (CLE) and Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC), according to a PIB release.

An annual event, ‘Meet at Agra’ is organised by AFMEC to promote Agra as the hub of footwear manufacturers and provides a platform to international producers and suppliers to come together and showcase best of technology in latest footwear trends aimed at fulfilling futuristic demands.

The historical city of Agra has been a footwear manufacturing hub contributing to domestic and export markets. Agra has about 250 mechanised/ semi-mechanised units and 5,000 cottage industries with a manufacturing capacity of 3-5 lakh pairs per day and has created over 4 lakh jobs for skilled professionals. Agra today meets 65% of domestic requirement and has a 28% share in the total footwear export of India.

Dr Pandey, on the occasion, said, “The footwear industry is a significant growth accelerator for India’s indigenous skill-exports. The quality of the footwear we make has received a lot of acclaim abroad contributing to the growth of the economy and boosting competition among domestic manufacturers to excel. I congratulate the candidates who have been RPL certified today and extend my gratitude towards the organisers promoting footwear manufacturing and export in the city. With such phenomenal potential, the footwear industry will only grow multifold and will need a strong skilled workforce for meeting the market demands and international standards.”

The Minister also felicitated select cobblers from Agra with the Mochi Swabhimaan, a Mobile Workshop for cobblers.