Mukesh Goyal, Factory Manager, Sant Rubbers Ltd, Sant Design Studio, Jalandhar, Branch office at Chennai

“We make rubber soles. The problem is that people have theoretical knowledge, but not practical exposure. For compression moulding  need to train people on the shop floor with seniors. We usually get them from ITIs and other Diploma courses. We use latest technologies, pressing machines, moulding machines.”

Praveen Soneja, Managing Director, Uttam Plastomers Pvt Ltd, Alwar, Rajasthan

“We are into manufacturing rubber sheets. We are a byproduct of the leather industry. For footwear, we are using designers from FDDI. We employ from ITIs or those experienced in the trade. We collaborate with CIPET also. We have 5 manufacturing units.”

S.Subbiah, Micro Designs – Micro Associates- Dies, Machines and Spares, SIDCO, Chennai

“Leather embossing is an interesting work! You can place leather in the machine, it will automatically position. Leather is embossed; there can be different shapes and sizes. No formal training is needed; one can learn within 10 minutes, everything is pre-planned and automated.”