“Receiving this scholarship isn't just about winning; it's about opportunities it unlocks and the dreams it will fulfil, not only the recognition of past achievements and hard work but also a catalyst for the future,” said Dylan van Zyl, shoe design manager, Bata SA.

“Attending the SAFLEC Arsutoria workshop has been an informative & insightful experience. Immense gratitude to the ILO & Team SAFLEC as well as the Arsutoria lecturers for being instrumental in organising & availing this enriching experience to us. My selection as one of the candidates for the prestigious scholarship came as a most welcome surprise,” said Sophia Khan, marketing manager, Smiley’s Footwear.

Two workshops took place, one-week at Coastlands, Durban, and a one-day bag workshop held at the Invest SA One Stop shop in Cape Town. Almost 50 participants (60 per cent female) were trained from over 40 enterprises. All participants received internationally recognised certificates, and a follow up virtual workshop by Arsutoria is planned later this year, ILO said on its website.

“Our goal is to support companies/designers better understand the international market, to be able to focus their skills. With this support, I’m sure that we can achieve great results and see companies evolve and diversify their products after the training, to compete with international brands. I can say that many of the participants have real talent,” said Stefano Migliavacca, Edizioni, Milan.

South Africa's footwear and leather industry faces a significant design deficiency, hampering its ability to compete effectively in the global marketplace. This gap stifles innovation and limits the industry’s capacity to meet the evolving demands of international consumers. SAFLEC’s training sessions were designed to bridge this divide by equipping manufacturers with latest insights into global fashion trends, empowering them to create competitive products, they aim to catalyse export growth and drive economic expansion.

Edizioni AF, in partnership with ARSUTORIA School, offers a transformative solution to address a critical gap within South Africa's footwear and leather industry, fostering business growth and driving economic prosperity. Founded in 1947, their expertise is in delivering specialised training services globally, particularly in leather products and footwear. They deliver an understanding of global trends, especially in handbags and footwear, guiding manufacturers toward international competitiveness.

The ILO’s Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work South Africa Project, launched in July 2022, aims to address productivity growth constraints, and promote decent work in South Africa. This project focuses on the leather, leather goods, and footwear sector, chosen for its alignment with the government’s priority master plans and transformation agenda. 

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)