Footwear designer Job Information | National Careers Service

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The footwear and leather industry is part of the fashion and textiles sector, represented by Creative Skillset, which also includes: apparel; textiles; and footwear and leather; advertising; animation; computer games; facilities; film; >interactive media; photo imaging; publishing; radio; and television. The fashion and textiles sector as a whole employs an estimated 340,000 people across 79,000 enterprises, which are predominately small and medium sized employers. The sector contributes around £10 billion to the UK economy each year, but due to the current economic downturn, product exports have fallen. However, employment in the sector has remained relatively stable level.

The footwear and leather industry includes: leather production and tanning; the manufacture of leather goods and accessories, such as luggage; footwear; and shoe repair. Recent manufacturing output of the industry has declined, but productivity has risen where it has remained virtually static across the wider manufacturing sector. Clothing and footwear prices have fallen, but suppliers of niche and luxury leather goods are reportedly doing well.

Key facts:

• The industry contributes around £700 million to the UK economy each year.
• There are around 4,600 businesses, of which almost 3,000 are sole traders.
• Almost 27,000 people work in the industry.
• There is a forecast decline in the industry of 57% between 2006 and 2014.
• The wholesale component of the footwear and leather industry is, however, expected to see modest growth in employment.

Jobs in the industry range from:

• Production staff – leather production operative, footwear manufacturing operative, production manager, technical manager
• Design staff – footwear designer, footwear technologist leather goods/accessories designer
• Repair staff – shoe repairer, shop manager
• Technology staff – leather technologist

National and regional data

The industry is widely distributed across England, but activity is heavily concentrated in Northamptonshire and Lancashire (both traditional footwear areas), together with Walsall (leather goods including saddlery) and Somerset (production of leather and leather goods).

East Midlands – There are around 4,000 people employed within the footwear and leather industry in the East Midlands, which is more than any other region of England. The majority of the workforce is based in Northampton.

East of England – There are almost 2,000 people employed within the industry. South Cambridgeshire has the largest workforce, followed by Norwich. To 2017, it is estimated that the number in the leather manufacturing industry will need to remain the same, at around 1,000 people.

London – There are around 3,000 people employed within the industry in London, making it the third largest region for footwear and leather in the UK. Hackney has the largest workforce, followed by Westminster. Employment is fairly evenly distributed throughout the remaining districts in London. To 2017, it is estimated that the number of people required in leather manufacturing will increase from around 2,000 to 3,000.

North East – There are around 340 people employed within the industry, which represents a small proportion of the total UK employment in this industry. Redcar and Cleveland have the largest number of people employed in the footwear and leather industry. Employment is fairly evenly distributed throughout the remaining districts. To 2017, it is estimated that 1,000 extra people will be required in leather manufacturing positions.

North West – There are almost 2,000 people employed within the industry in the North West. Manchester has the largest workforce, followed by West Lancashire then Allerdale, West Cumbria. It is estimated that there will be a decline in the total level of employment required in leather manufacturing between now and 2017.

South East – There are around 2,000 people employed within the industry, who are mainly located in mid‐Sussex. It is estimated that 1,000 more people will be required in leather manufacturing positions between now and 2017.

South West – There are over 3,000 people employed within the industry. Within this region, Mendip (NE Somerset), South Somerset and Bristol have the largest number of people employed. It is estimated that there will be a small decline in the total level of employment required in leather manufacturing to 2017. An estimated 1,000 people will be needed during this time.

West Midlands – There are almost 2,000 people employed within the industry, with well over half located in Walsall. It is estimated that there will be a slight increase in the total level of employment required in leather manufacturing between now and 2017 in the region and an estimated 4,000 recruits will be needed.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are almost 2,000 people employed within the industry, who are predominately located in Leeds and Bradford. To 2017, it is estimated that there will be a decline in the total level of employment required in leather manufacturing.

[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry, 2007.]

Career paths

• Our Job Profiles
• Creative Skillset

Further sources

• Creative Skillset
• British Footwear Association (BFA)
• British Leather Council
• Institute for Creative Leisure Technologies
• Saddlery Training Centre
• Society of Dyers and Colourists
• Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists