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Footwear production technician

Also called shoe technician, general foreman, industry foreman

Footwear production technicians perform a wide range of activities regarding footwear manufacturing. They are involved in all phases of the process including product engineering and different types of construction. They aim at maximising productivity and reducing production costs, assuring the functionality and quality of product and customer satisfaction.

Will there be jobs?Average prospects27 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,600 (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree4 in 10 have a degree. 7 in 10 train through vocational routes.Science and engineering associate professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Physical and engineering science technicians not elsewhere classified · ILO

What you'd do

Physical and engineering science technicians not elsewhere classified · ILO
  • Collecting data and providing technical assistance regarding: efficient, safe and economic utilization of personnel, material and equipment; methods of work and sequence of operations and supervision of their implementation; and efficient layout of plant or establishment
  • Aiding in the identification of potential hazards and introducing safety procedures and devices
  • Modifying and testing equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental pollution, site remediation and land reclamation
  • Assisting in the development of environmental pollution remediation devices under the direction of an engineer
  • Assisting engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment
Communicate commercial and technical issues in foreign languagesCreate solutions to problemsUse IT toolsReduce environmental impact of footwear manufacturingUse communication techniques+ 5 more essential skills

Will there be jobs?

Average prospects

A typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering associate professionals in the EU
7.4m7.3m7.49m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
142,000 new jobs 1,835,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering associate professionals27
All jobs29
Right now
3 of 27 countries report a shortage of physical and engineering science technicians not elsewhere classified, 4 a surplus.
Physical and engineering science technicians not elsewhere classified · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,600 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in textiles (clothes, footwear and leather) is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 41%Vocational 43%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 9%
Vocational route, EU
7 in 10 trainees in this field
Engineering graduates in a matching job
73% in the EU

949 institutions in the EU offer engineering bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.26 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 5 tasks
Collecting data and providing technical assistance regarding: efficient, safe and economic utilization of personnel, material and equipment; methods of work and sequence of operations and supervision of their implementation; and efficient layout of plant or establishment0.32
Assisting engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment0.28
Aiding in the identification of potential hazards and introducing safety procedures and devices0.26
Modifying and testing equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental pollution, site remediation and land reclamation0.24
Assisting in the development of environmental pollution remediation devices under the direction of an engineer0.19

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for physical and engineering science technicians not elsewhere classified. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).