Footwear

The National Footwear and Leather Cluster is a not-for-profit company established by the Department of Trade and Industry within the administration of Vaal University of Technology.

This autonomous entity with head office based at VUT Technology station, in Sebokeng is controlled by an independent steering committee represented by its regional cluster members, labour, industry (SAFLIA), IDC and the DTI.

It has the function of creating a platform on which the Footwear industry can flourish.

This will be achieved through four key interventions namely, product development, skills development, processes, and marketing.

These interventions are rolled out on a National basis through establishment of regional clusters and associations with various FET colleges and Vaal University of Technology.

The NFLC is concentrating on vertical clusters between manufacture and leading retail chains. This intervention will immediately create the opportunities for the South African footwear industry to compete effectively in the fast-fashion market by utilising funding and technology provided by the NFLC to upgrade their skills, processes and product development capabilities to effectively service the retail industry.

The NFLC head office at VUT will be housing advanced product development technology in terms of CAD systems and 3D printing technology and other advanced tooling technologies to support the regional clusters and industry. This centre will also serve as a research centre in order to lead the industry in terms of technology and product.

Training will take place on various levels through short courses at FET colleges which will articulate into the Higher education platform VUT. This will include all operators training, supervisors and middle management training which can articulate into advanced diplomas in footwear design and technology for both manufacture and retail.

All these interventions will be monitored as part of the continuous improvement programme through a benchmarking process to be established by the NFLC.