Making footwear.
Footwear manufacturers work in the manufacturing sector. Footwear includes shoes, boots, sports and dance footwear, trainers, and slippers.
Footwear manufacturers may be small-scale operations making specialist or personalised footwear, through to large factories producing large runs of footwear.
Footwear manufacturers use tools and machinery to produce footwear to a specification. There are different processes involved in making footwear. Cutting material - usually leather. Preparation of materials. Closing - sewing the upper part of the footwear. Lasting - forming the shape of the footwear. Attaching the sole and finishing - the final stage where for example, removable insoles and shoelaces are added and polishing occurs. Individuals may complete the footwear in full or in part. Increasingly digital technology is used in production. For example, digital cutting process and auto stitchers.
They also complete quality checks, prepare footwear produced for the next stage, complete work records, and conduct basic machine maintenance. They also contribute to maintaining the work area and improvement work.
They work with other members of the production team. They may also have contact with people from other functions such as quality, maintenance, warehouse, and distribution. They may also have direct contact with clients and designers. They may work alone or as part of a team under supervision. They usually report to a team leaders, supervisors, or owners.
They must ensure that their work meets the specification requirements and supports production plans. They must work to health, safety, and environmental procedures. This may include wearing personal protective equipment. They must also support sustainability. For example, by minimising waste and recycling.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 15 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
Observation with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 2 hours. They will ask you at least 3 questions.
Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 6 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | Occupational standard, end-point assessment and funding band revised. | 25/11/2024 | Not set |
| 1.1 | End-point assessment plan revised. The funding band for this standard has been reviewed and remains at £5000. | 06/02/2019 | 24/11/2024 |
| 1.0 | Retired | 21/06/2018 | 05/02/2019 |
Crown copyright © 2025. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence