Project Vikas speaks to a few shoe designers and asks them how the IT training workshops held in their cluster has helped them
One of the key initiatives of Project Vikas is to conduct IT training workshops in various clusters. In the Agra cluster, many workshops have been conducted to date. We spoke to a few designers to learn the impact of such trainings.
Mehtab Singh: Better Designing
Mehtab Singh works in the export house, Tej Shoe Tech. Though his job profile requires him to design shoes, most of his work is spent on administration work. He had never used a computer before, and was afraid of even touching one. Under Project Vikas, Mehtab underwent a training on designing using computers. He was taught how to take great photographs and transfer them to a computer. Using these photos in the design software he can now develop his own creations.
After the training, Mehtab has lost all his fear of using computers. He has now bought a computer at home, and does designing work on it. “It is convenient to see on the computer and decide which leather colour would be suitable for a shoe. This makes my work easier,” says Mehtab.
The training has changed his outlook. Even among his peers he is now looked at with more respect. All the designers at his workplace wish to learn how to use CAD/CAM software. Though, most shoe factories do not have CAD/CAM software currently, Mehtab considers such trainings helpful. “At least the designers get exposed to it, and can learn how to use them,” he says.
Mehrajuddin Rais: Easy to Track Records
Mehrajuddinn, 42, had had very little formal education. He has been in the field of footwear designing for more than 20 years. He runs his own design studio. He firmly believes that designers play a major role in the shoe industry.
However, managing and tracing records and designs often become a nightmare. In a traditional designer’s workshop, design patterns are packed in envelopes, and dumped in racks. Even after painstakingly numbering each and every envelope, it is often difficult to find them when you need to look at them. A lot of time is lost in this.
After he attended the Project Vikas IT training, he has learnt to scan his sketches into the computer and save them to proper folders. Also using Microsoft Excel to maintain records has increased efficiency in his studio, he says.
Mehrajuddin also considers that an important of a designer’s role is to keep himself updated about designs in the market. Now he knows how to use the Internet for this purpose and look for new ideas and current trends. After completing the training, he has motivated designers in his studio or oithers known to him to undergo this training.
Shetan Singh Bedi: Improved efficiency
Shetan Singh Bedi, 40, works for an export house, Nouva Shoes as Assistant Designer. He has a work experience of 15 years. Before joining the computer course for designers under Project Vikas, he had no knowledge about using computers. Even to check records, he used to depend on the computer operator. After undergoing the training, he is now able to maintain records as well as check them when required. His confidence level has gone up because of this. He says, “Now I don’t fear switching on a computer. I can check records on my own, and I don’t have to depend on the operator. Although it may not appear to have brought about any distinct change in the attitude of my employer, I feel more satisfied with my work and there is an increase in my efficiency as well.”
Manoj Vij: Better Communication with Customers
Manoj Vij, 34 runs his own design shop. He has over 15 years of experience in the footwear industry as a worker as well as a designer. He has also worked as a trainer under the Umbrella Project for Agra Footwear. Although skilled in footwear manufacturing operations and designing, he did not have any computer skills. After undergoing training with Project Vikas, he is able to transfer his designs to the computer and write them on CD. It is now easier to show his designs to the client on a computer screen. This has raised his confidence levels significantly. His next aim is to learn to use CAD/CAM software and install them at his shop.