Footwear Manufacturing Operative

Typical Salary

£13,500 To £22,000

Typical Hours

38 to 40 a week

between 8am and 6pm on shifts

How To Become a Footwear Manufacturing Operative

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills you need in this job, like the Level 2 Certificate or Level 3 Diploma in Apparel, Footwear, Leather or Textile Production.

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can do a footwear manufacturer intermediate apprenticeship.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You can apply directly to employers for a trainee position.

Employers will want you to have good practical skills, and they could ask you to sit a practical test at the interview stage. Experience in shoe repairs, textiles or leatherwork may be helpful.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to work well with your hands
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
observation and recording skills
the ability to operate and control equipment
the ability to work well with others
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

cutting and shaping leather or fabric pieces for the 'upper' section
stitching and sewing together individual sections to complete the upper
moulding uppers into their final shape on a wooden or metal pattern called a 'last'
attaching soles with adhesives or by stitching
trimming heels to shape
staining soles, heels and edges before waxing and buffing
polishing the boot or shoe for the desired colour and effect

Working Environment

You could work in a factory or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be noisy.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career Path & Progression

You could move into supervisory management, machinery maintenance or quality control. With further training, you could take up a career in footwear design or as a footwear technologist.

You could also specialise in custom-made footwear, like luxury bespoke shoes, orthopaedic footwear, or historical and theatrical costume footwear.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the British Footwear Association for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about careers and training in footwear manufacturing from the British Footwear Association.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.