Skilled Manpower in Leather Industry Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy has said that as per a study conducted by KPMG Advisory Services Private Limited for National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) on human resource and skill requirements in leather and leather goods sector, there is a skill gap in various parts of leather goods value chain. This includes the leather goods sector as well as ancillary industries such as tanneries, and sales channels such as modern retail including organized market and e-commerce. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Shri Rudy said, the Government has identified leather sector as one of the focus sector under Make in India programme launched in September, 2014. The Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) under Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been imparting training in the leather sector. Till 31st March 2015, FDDI has trained 2,68,993 trainees & placed 2,17,203 candidates in various footwear industries across the country. In addition, National Skill Development Corporation through its training partners is also imparting training in this sector. As on 30.6.2015, about 20,000 persons have been trained by NSDC's partners in leather sector. The National Skill Development Corportation has also approved setting up of Leather Sector Skill Council for coordination, creation of National Operating Standards, training certification in leather sector. The Leather Sector Skill Council has developed 265 National Occupational Standards (NOS) and 50 Qualification Packs for developing skill training curriculum for various job roles in leather sector.
