- The Quality Council of India (QCI) and the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the quality, testing, accreditation and skilling ecosystem across the sector.
- The partnership is expected to benefit workers, MSMEs, industry professionals and manufacturers operating in some of India’s most prominent footwear clusters, including Agra, Bahadurgarh, Ranipet, Chennai, Calicut and Kanpur.
Objective of the QCI-FDDI Partnership
- The primary objective of the collaboration is to create a structured framework that promotes capacity building, certification, testing infrastructure development and quality enhancement throughout the leather and footwear value chain.
- By combining QCI’s expertise in quality assurance and accreditation with FDDI’s industry-specific knowledge and training capabilities, the initiative seeks to improve workforce skills, strengthen quality management practices and enhance access to testing facilities.
Key Areas of Collaboration
Under the agreement, both organizations will jointly develop and implement outcome-oriented programs tailored to the needs of various stakeholders in the footwear sector.
The partnership will focus on:
- Workforce skill enhancement
- Personal certification of workers
- Strengthening quality management systems
- Expanding testing infrastructure
- Supporting laboratory accreditation
- Capacity building for MSMEs
- Development of industry-focused research and studies
These initiatives are expected to improve productivity, product quality and global competitiveness within India’s footwear manufacturing ecosystem.
Role of QCI
The Quality Council of India will provide technical support and guidance related to:
- Accreditation principles
- Quality management systems
- National and international quality standards
- Awareness programs for MSMEs
- Testing and accreditation mechanisms
- Government quality-related schemes
QCI will also contribute to the development of monitoring frameworks, research studies, white papers and case studies aimed at strengthening the sector’s quality ecosystem.
Role of FDDI
FDDI will spearhead cluster-specific skilling and training programs based on the unique requirements of different footwear manufacturing hubs.
Its responsibilities include:
- Conducting workforce training programs
- Mapping testing and calibration laboratories
- Identifying infrastructure gaps
- Supporting establishment of sample collection centres
- Creating knowledge resources for industry stakeholders
- Promoting industry-relevant skill development
The institute will play a critical role in ensuring that the benefits of the initiative reach workers and enterprises operating at the grassroots level.
Worker Assessment and Certification Framework
- One of the most notable features of the MoU is the proposed development of a multi-level worker assessment and personal certification framework.
- The framework will include Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathways designed for semi-skilled and experienced workers who possess practical industry skills but may not have formal educational qualifications.
- This initiative is expected to improve employability, provide formal recognition of skills and create greater career opportunities for workers in the leather and footwear sector.
Major Footwear Clusters to Benefit
The collaboration will focus on strengthening the ecosystem in major footwear manufacturing hubs, including:
- Agra
- Bahadurgarh
- Ranipet
- Chennai
- Calicut
- Kanpur
These clusters collectively account for a substantial share of India’s leather and footwear production and exports.
About Quality Council of India (QCI)
- The Quality Council of India is an autonomous organization established by the Government of India to promote quality across products, services and processes that impact citizens’ lives.
- QCI facilitates independent third-party assessments through its constituent boards and divisions. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, serves as its nodal department.
About FDDI
- The Footwear Design and Development Institute operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and specializes in education, research, skill development, testing and certification for India’s leather and footwear sector.
- The institute has played a crucial role in developing skilled manpower and supporting innovation in the footwear industry.
Conclusion
The QCI-FDDI partnership marks an important milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen the leather and footwear sector. By focusing on quality enhancement, workforce development, certification and testing infrastructure, the initiative is expected to improve the competitiveness of Indian manufacturers and support the country’s vision of becoming a global hub for high-quality footwear production.