2018 SAFT course enrolling students

Previewing the forthcoming SATRA Accredited Footwear Technologist course to be held in the UK.

To be successful, modern footwear manufacturing processes rely on practical information being accurate and members of staff having the ability to understand and apply such information. To address this issue, SATRA has designed the SATRA Accredited Footwear Technologist (SAFT) training course for all technologists who work in any aspect of footwear production. The next SAFT course will be held at SATRA’s UK headquarters in March 2018.

Students receive the most comprehensive and up-to-date information in six key areas of footwear manufacture. Each module is led by a SATRA specialist and covered in detail during two days of intensive training and includes comprehensive documentation.

On completion of the course, students can take optional written examinations, and passes must be achieved in five of the six modules (including the core modules) for students to receive SAFT accreditation. While the selected examinations need not all be taken at the same time, they must be passed within two years to obtain accreditation. The holder of the internationally recognised SAFT qualification gives clear evidence of having a proven range of footwear knowledge.

The modules

Module 1 is a core section which covers lasts, fitting and comfort, and focuses on footwear from the customers’ perspective – what they expect from their shoes in terms of fit and comfort, and how the manufacturer can satisfy these expectations to maximise sales and develop brand loyalty.

The second module – also a core part of the course – helps the student to understand materials (considering the key materials and components used in footwear), and construction – investigating common processes and less well-known methods.

Module 3 is on the testing of footwear. It reviews all the key tests for materials, components and whole shoes, as well as the importance of testing.

The fourth module covers lean manufacturing and product design – including taping up a last, flattening the shell and producing inside, outside and mean forms, as well as making examples of graded patterns. The process of shoe costing will also examine how materials, labour and expenses are calculated to produce a final selling price.

Module 5 investigates risk assessment associated with product liability when the footwear fails or causes injury (or damage to property) in wear, with practical exercises in assessing the risks of specific footwear items. Quality assurance is also covered in detail.

The sixth module considers the requirements of industrial footwear as outlined in all the major industrial footwear specifications and standards. It will contrast and compare the various requirements, such as impact resistance and slip resistance, and review common faults and failures, as well as the precautions to be taken to avoid this happening.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 50 of the January 2018 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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