2025 dates released for SAFT training

Details have been announced of the forthcoming footwear technologists’ course to be held in the UK and the USA, with limited itineraries in Vietnam and China.

Successful modern manufacturing processes rely on accurate practical information and the ability of staff to understand and apply such information. In a global and competitive marketplace, knowledge and skills are increasingly important. To address this issue, SATRA has designed the SATRA Accredited Footwear Technologist (SAFT) training course for all technologists involved in any aspect of footwear production.

SAFT is an internationally recognised qualification which gives clear evidence that the recipient has a proven range of footwear knowledge. Students receive the most comprehensive and up-to-date information in nine 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. Please note that module eight (covering the topic of laboratory management) is a one-day training course.

On completion of the course, students have an opportunity to take optional written examinations, which are held twice each year. Passes must be achieved in five of the eight modules for students to receive SAFT accreditation (module eight does not have an examination). While there is no need for all five examinations to be taken at one time, passes in all the papers must be obtained within three years for the student to obtain accreditation.

The modules

Module one is a core section which highlights lasts, fitting and comfort. This 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 thus maximise sales and develop brand loyalty. This section investigates foot structure, function and foot health, biomechanics and the gait cycle, as well as comfort factors such as cushioning and sweat management, shoe size systems used around the world, last design, construction and shape assessment, and fit assessment.

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 three covers the testing of footwear. It begins with a discussion on ‘what is testing?’ and ‘why is testing important?’, in addition to the use of specifications, accurate and detailed test reports and standard test methods. The module also provides an overview of the key tests which are carried out on footwear and materials, such as for upper and lining materials, solings and footwear components, as well as whole shoe tests.

The fourth module describes product design, in which delegates will tape up a last, flatten the shell and produce inside, outside and mean forms, and make their own examples of graded patterns. The process of shoe costing will also be discussed, examining the way materials, labour and expenses are calculated to produce a final selling price. Module four also considers all aspects of lean manufacturing, covering implementation and techniques involved, including value-added and non-value-added processes, pattern engineering, the assessment of leather usage, shoe sizing/grading, stitching efficiency and ergonomics.

The final core part of the course is module five. This investigates risk assessment associated with product liability when the footwear fails or causes injury (or damage to property) in wear, with practical exercises in evaluating the risks of specific footwear items. It also highlights quality assurance and will provide participants with an understanding of the purpose, organisation and content of a quality management system, in addition to an appreciation of how to apply this to the student’s own company needs.

The sixth module explores the requirements of industrial footwear as outlined in all the major industrial footwear specifications and standards. It contrasts and compares the various requirements, such as impact resistance and slip resistance, and reviews commonly experienced faults and failures, as well as the precautions to be taken to avoid such problems occurring.

The seventh module takes the student through the important aspect of production efficiency. This examines the processes within an average production facility and helps to identify where time can be saved to improve the efficiency and have a positive effect on the end product, in addition to generating increased sales.

The eighth module – ‘laboratory management’ – focuses on the critical aspects of quality system implementation in testing laboratories and how the control of these is crucial in order to produce accurate test results. Among the key topics covered are the purpose of quality systems, test method selection and control, equipment calibration, staff training and a range of areas critical in ensuring good practice. Module eight aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills which are necessary for them to establish and maintain robust quality systems in testing laboratories.

Module nine is one of the newer modules, and considers testing requirements relating to sports footwear. Starting with a brief history of sports footwear development, it explains the general needs of this market sector and provides a review of the demands and risks associated with individual sports. Five popular yet contrasting sports are discussed in more detail. The overall impact played by the sports sector on the athleisure and everyday footwear market is also reviewed in this section of the SAFT course.

The tenth module, the second of the newer modules, is entitled ‘intensive leather’. It is aimed at manufacturers, sourcing companies and retailers of all types of footwear, leather goods, gloving, garments, accessories and upholstery. This session covers in detail manufacture, raw material defects and characteristics, hide and skin structures, and leather making processes. In addition, this part of the course investigates leather identification, selection and the use of leather within the footwear industry, as well as leather grading, testing and specifications, restricted substances and investigating leather problems.

2025 dates for your diary
Course/venue	Modules	Dates
SAFT UK (SATRA, Kettering)	Module 9 – Sports footwear	24 & 25 March
	Module 1 – Lasts, fitting and comfort	26 & 27 March
	Module 2 – Materials	28 & 31 March
	Module 3 – Testing	1 & 2 April
	Module 4 – Construction and product design	3 & 4 April
	Module 5 – Risk assessment and quality assurance	7 & 8 April
	Module 7 – Product efficiency and lean manufacturing	9 & 10 April
	Module 6 – Industrial footwear	11 & 14 April
	Module 8 – Laboratory management	15 April
Limited SAFT USA (Portland, OR – venue TBC)	Module 9 – Sports footwear	31 March & 1 April
	Module 10 – Intensive leather	2 & 3 April
Limited SAFT USA (Boston, MA – venue TBC)	Module 9 – Sports footwear	7 & 8 April
	Module 10 – Intensive leather	9 & 10 April
SAFT Vietnam (Caravelle Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City)	Module 1 – Lasts, fitting and comfort	14 & 15 July
	Module 8 – Laboratory management	16 July
	Module 4 – Construction and product design	17 & 18 July
	Module 9 – Sports footwear	21 & 22 July
Limited SAFT China (Dongguan – venue TBC)	Module 9 – Sports footwear	28 & 29 July
	Module 10 – Intensive leather	30 & 31 July
SAFT USA (Crowne Plaza Portland, Lake Oswego)	Module 1 – Lasts, fitting and comfort	29 & 30 September
	Module 4 – Construction and product design	1 & 2 October
	Module 9 – Sports footwear	3 & 6 October
	Module 2 – Materials	7 & 8 October
	Module 3 – Testing	9 & 10 October
	Module 5 – Risk assessment and quality assurance	13 & 14 October
	Module 7 – Product efficiency and lean manufacturing	15 & 16 October
	Module 6 ‘Lite’ – Industrial footwear (USA and Canada)	17 October

The student’s view

Over the years, SATRA has received a considerable amount of positive feedback from students who have attended SAFT courses, including the following comments after recent courses:

Andrea: “I chose the SAFT course because I wanted to learn about new technologies and validate my footwear knowledge against the industry standards, and who better to do this with than SATRA? I think being SAFT-certified enhances the client's confidence level in our products. It was also very interesting to network with the other attendees at the SAFT training. Learning about the different approach, benchmarks and materials from athletics and lifestyle brands are fascinating to me, having only worked in fashion brands.”

Phillip: “Our business has been a member of SATRA since the 1950s, and we recognise it as the leader in footwear testing and training. Since entering the business almost seven years ago, I have been able to gain significant knowledge in regards to footwear manufacturing and materials, but I was keen to learn more and solidify my existing knowledge with an accredited qualification. By gaining an industry-recognised qualification, I wanted to advance my knowledge in all the different aspects involving footwear and what is required to become a footwear technologist. I believe that continuously learning is important, and undertaking SAFT was the perfect way to gain a more technical knowledge of all the different aspects of footwear.

“Completing all six modules of the SAFT course (as then available on the syllabus) has enabled me to gain an extensive knowledge of all aspects of footwear fitting, design, materials, constructions, testing, and QA. As I move forward in my career, this will enable me to have a clearer understanding of all the above, while also helping me to make more informed and educated decisions regarding our products and all types of footwear in general.”

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 25 of the November 2024 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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