In a significant step toward enhancing the competitiveness of India’s leather and footwear industry, the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) have entered into a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The collaboration aims to strengthen quality standards, testing infrastructure, accreditation systems and workforce skills across the country’s leather and footwear value chain.
The agreement marks a coordinated effort to support the growth of the sector by building a robust quality ecosystem and promoting industry-wide excellence. The initiative will focus on major footwear manufacturing clusters such as Agra, Bahadurgarh, Ranipet, Chennai, Calicut and Kanpur, which collectively play a crucial role in India’s footwear production and exports.
Under the partnership, QCI and FDDI will jointly develop and implement targeted programmes designed to meet the evolving needs of workers, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), supervisors and industry professionals. The programmes will emphasize skill enhancement, quality management, testing and certification practices, thereby helping businesses improve product standards and market competitiveness.
A major component of the collaboration is the strengthening of testing and accreditation infrastructure. The initiative seeks to improve access to testing facilities for manufacturers and support laboratories in obtaining accreditation, ensuring that products meet national and international quality benchmarks. By expanding quality assurance mechanisms, the partnership is expected to contribute to greater consumer confidence and stronger export potential for Indian footwear and leather products.
QCI will play a key role in providing technical expertise related to accreditation principles, quality management systems and industry standards. It will also support awareness campaigns aimed at educating MSMEs about the importance of quality assurance, testing procedures, accreditation processes and relevant government schemes that can assist businesses in upgrading their operations.
In addition, QCI and FDDI will collaborate on research-based initiatives, including the preparation of white papers, case studies and sectoral assessments. Joint monitoring frameworks will also be developed to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the programmes implemented under the MoU.
FDDI, a leading institution in footwear education and skill development, will spearhead cluster-focused training and capacity-building programmes. These initiatives will be tailored to the specific requirements of different manufacturing hubs, ensuring that local workforce and enterprises receive relevant and practical support. The institute will also undertake mapping of existing testing and calibration laboratories, identify infrastructure gaps and facilitate the establishment of sample collection centres in areas where access to testing services is limited.
Another important feature of the partnership is the creation of a comprehensive worker assessment and personal certification framework. The system will include Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathways, enabling experienced and semi-skilled workers to receive formal recognition for skills acquired through practical experience, even if they do not possess formal educational qualifications. This approach is expected to improve employability, career progression and workforce productivity within the sector.
The MoU was signed by QCI Secretary General Shri Chakravarthy T. Kannan and FDDI Managing Director Shri Vivek Sharma (IRS), representing their respective organisations. Both institutions expressed confidence that the partnership would help create a stronger foundation for quality-driven growth in the leather and footwear industry.
Industry experts view the collaboration as an important step toward aligning India’s manufacturing capabilities with global quality standards. By combining QCI’s expertise in quality assurance and accreditation with FDDI’s strengths in education, training and research, the partnership aims to create a future-ready ecosystem that supports innovation, skill development and sustainable industrial growth.
The initiative is also expected to contribute to the government’s broader vision of promoting globally competitive manufacturing while empowering MSMEs and workers. As India seeks to expand its footprint in international markets, strengthening quality infrastructure and workforce capabilities will be essential to enhancing the sector’s global standing and long-term growth prospects.
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
