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Where will we find the next generation of footwear executives? With the launch of a new degree-level foundation course designed specifically with employers in mind, Leicester College is hoping that they will spring from its own talent pool. Brands like Clarks and Next have been known to ‘dip in' over the years, running competitions to find the stars of the future.
This new course sets executives up for jobs in the global footwear industry as manufacturing and retail managers, product developers, trainee shoe buyers, quality controllers and footwear technologists.
Paul Kinsley, Curriculum Area Manager - Art and Design for Leicester College explained how the new course will create new opportunities for people to grasp some vital core skills, "We asked employers do describe common skills gaps and then produced a course to fill them. Market research has shown awareness of trends and working patterns is crucial to development.
"Leading edge technology such as three dimensional CAD/CAM design is gaining in importance in the industry, we teach those skill here without losing sight of traditional methods."
"We are known globally for our professional diplomas in footwear, what the Foundation Degree does is blend those courses together."
Guest speakers are invited into the college to share their experience. Each year, the College organises industrial visits to the Northampton Shoe Museum and factories where craftsmen produce premium bench made shoes - work experience is compulsory as part of the course.
The Leicester College programme area for Footwear has set up associate colleges in Turkey and India and moderates the work of affiliate courses in Japan. The department attends one of the major European footwear exhibitions each year in Paris, Dusseldorf, Florence or Bologna.
It never to late to learn refresh your skills set. The usual requirements are expected from those of an undergraduate age; however the college is also welcoming applications from committed mature students who have relevant professional or vocational experience.
Paul Kinsley said, "The course is about producing well rounded footwear executives of the future. It covers important management areas such as quality assurance, style prediction and marketing strategies so they can serve and lead organisations to better working practises. In fact many mature students, who are already senior production staff in their own companies or large conglomerate footwear manufacturers abroad, join our courses to refresh their approach to common scenarios back home."
This two year full-time Foundation Degree is awarded by De Montfort University. Fees for this programme (£3,045 per year in 2008) are higher than the standard College fees. Everyone can offset these higher fees as all are eligible for the College's bursary scheme of £1,800 per annum. The natural progression is a move to the BA Honours in Footwear at DeMontfort University or any other suitable Higher Education course.
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