QCI, FDDI sign MoU to boost quality, skills in footwear sector

The Quality Council of India (QCI) and the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the quality and skilling ecosystem in India's leather and footwear sector. The agreement, signed on June 12, 2026, aims to benefit key footwear clusters such as Agra, Kanpur, Chennai, Bahadurgarh, Ranipet, and Calicut.

Under the partnership, QCI and FDDI will jointly design programs to improve workforce skills, promote personal certification, and strengthen quality management practices. The initiative also focuses on expanding access to testing facilities and supporting laboratories in achieving accreditation.

QCI will provide technical guidance on accreditation standards and quality management systems while raising awareness among MSMEs about government schemes and quality practices. FDDI will lead training programs tailored to the needs of specific footwear hubs and address gaps in testing infrastructure by mapping laboratories and establishing sample collection centers.

A key feature of the MoU is the development of a multi-level worker assessment and certification framework, including Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathways for semi-skilled workers. This will help formalize the skills of experienced workers lacking formal qualifications.

The collaboration aligns with India's vision of creating globally competitive and quality-driven manufacturing ecosystems, particularly for MSMEs and workers in the leather and footwear sector.