Indian minister of skill development and entrepreneurship (MSDE) Mahendra Nath Pandey recently awarded ‘recognition of prior learning’ (RPL) certificates to 500 candidates for their skills in footwear manufacturing at ‘Meet at Agra 2019’, an annual exhibition-cum-fair organised by the Agra Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Chamber (AFMEC).

The annual event promotes 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, according to an official release.

Agra has about 250 mechanised and semi-mechanised footwear manufacturing 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. The city meets 65 per cent of domestic requirement and has a 28 per cent share in the total footwear export of India.

The RPL program of MSDE’s Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) of MSDE recognises and certifies skills acquired through informal means, bringing about a major shift from un-organised sector to organised economy.

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

The footwear industry contributes about 2 per cent to India’s gross domestic product and has the potential to touch $9 billion by 2020.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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