QCI, FDDI Join Hands to Boost Quality and Skills in Footwear Sector

QCI will provide technical expertise on quality management systems, accreditation principles and industry standards.

The Quality Council of India (QCI) and the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening quality standards, testing capabilities and workforce skills across India's leather and footwear industry.

The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a stronger support system for manufacturers, workers and businesses operating in one of the country's key manufacturing sectors. The initiative will cover major footwear hubs including Agra, Bahadurgarh, Ranipet, Chennai, Calicut and Kanpur.

Focus on Quality and Workforce Development

The partnership seeks to improve the overall quality of the ecosystem by introducing structured training, certification and capacity-building programmes for workers, supervisors, MSMEs and industry professionals. The programmes will be designed to address practical industry requirements and help stakeholders adopt better quality management practices.

A major focus of the collaboration will be enhancing access to testing facilities and encouraging laboratories to achieve accreditation standards that can support both domestic and export-oriented businesses.

Support for MSMEs and Industry Clusters

QCI will provide technical expertise on quality management systems, accreditation principles and industry standards. The organisation will also conduct awareness programmes to help MSMEs better understand quality requirements, testing processes, accreditation mechanisms and government support schemes available to them.

The collaboration will further support research activities, including the development of white papers, case studies and monitoring frameworks that can guide future improvements across the sector.

FDDI will take the lead in implementing cluster-specific training initiatives tailored to the needs of different footwear manufacturing regions. It will also map existing testing and calibration laboratories, identify infrastructure gaps and help establish sample collection centres in locations where access to testing facilities remains limited.

Certification Framework for Skilled Workers

One of the key components of the MoU is the development of a multi-level worker assessment and personal certification framework. The initiative will include Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathways for experienced and semi-skilled workers who possess valuable industry expertise but may not have formal educational qualifications. The framework is expected to help workers gain formal recognition for their skills, improving employment opportunities and supporting career growth within the industry.

Strengthening India's Manufacturing Competitiveness

The MoU was signed by QCI Secretary General Chakravarthy T. Kannan and FDDI Managing Director Vivek Sharma (IRS) on behalf of their respective organisations. The partnership aligns with the broader national objective of creating globally competitive and quality-driven manufacturing ecosystems. By strengthening testing infrastructure, promoting certification and improving workforce capabilities, the initiative is expected to support the growth of MSMEs and enhance the competitiveness of India's leather and footwear sector in international markets.

QCI functions as an autonomous body established by the Government of India to promote quality across products, services and processes, while FDDI operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and plays a significant role in education, research, skill development, testing and certification for the leather and footwear industry.