GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Shoe Industry Statistics

Most shoe companies invest in upskilling, prioritizing digital and sustainable skills.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

58% of reskilling initiatives in the shoe industry focus on automation and robotics

Statistic 2

65% of shoe industry companies have increased their investment in employee upskilling since 2020

Statistic 3

72% of footwear companies plan to implement reskilling programs within the next year

Statistic 4

42% of shoe industry workers believe that digital skills are the most critical for future employability

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66% of small shoe enterprises lack formal upskilling programs

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49% of shoe industry HR managers believe reskilling reduces turnover

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55% of workers in the shoe industry expect to learn new digital design software in the next 12 months

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69% of shoe manufacturing firms report an increasing need for cross-training employees

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61% of footwear companies are investing in AI-driven training programs

Statistic 10

43% of the shoe industry workforce has undergone reskilling initiatives in the past year

Statistic 11

78% of shoe brands consider upskilling their staff as a strategic priority for competitive advantage

Statistic 12

52% of footwear companies plan to increase their training budgets in 2024

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50% of new hires in the shoe industry require upskilling within their first six months

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64% of shoe companies are adopting online microlearning modules for workforce development

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57% of footwear brands see upskilling as essential for adopting sustainable manufacturing technologies

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46% of shoe industry managers agree that reskilling efforts contribute to innovation

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67% of shoe companies have identified digital craftsmanship as a key area for employee upskilling

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63% of footwear companies use external training providers for upskilling initiatives

Statistic 19

40% of shoe industry employees have attended online courses on sustainable materials

Statistic 20

74% of shoe brands report increased productivity after implementing reskilling programs

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53% of shoe companies are considering AI as part of their reskilling strategies

Statistic 22

70% of shoe manufacturing firms have introduced virtual workshops for skills development

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49% of employees in the shoe industry believe that reskilling creates new career pathways

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68% of shoe industry respondents believe that reskilling enhances adaptability to market changes

Statistic 25

44% of shoe brands have observed a measurable ROI from their upskilling initiatives

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60% of footwear companies have set specific KPIs to measure the success of reskilling programs

Statistic 27

43% of shoe industry employees have received training on new manufacturing technologies in the past year

Statistic 28

75% of shoe companies recognize continuous learning as vital for long-term growth

Statistic 29

59% of shoe manufacturing firms have integrated digital twin technology training into their upskilling programs

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63% of shoe manufacturing workers report increased confidence after participating in reskilling programs

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54% of footwear companies consider upskilling a key driver for innovation in product design

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51% of shoe companies plan to train their staff in blockchain technology for transparent supply chains

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47% of shoe industry firms have launched sustainability-focused upskilling initiatives

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66% of shoe workers express interest in learning new skills related to e-commerce and digital sales

Statistic 35

54% of shoe companies have partnered with online platforms for employee training

Statistic 36

37% of footwear companies have introduced virtual reality training tools

Statistic 37

39% of shoe companies have developed internal digital learning platforms

Statistic 38

55% of footwear producers have incorporated Augmented Reality (AR) into their training programs

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40% of shoe company training programs include modules on circular economy principles

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48% of shoe manufacturers reported a skills gap in digital design

Statistic 41

71% of shoe brands report a shortage of skilled workers in sustainable manufacturing practices

Statistic 42

47% of shoe industry employees feel that their skills are currently inadequate for industry demands

Statistic 43

69% of shoe industry workers see digital skills as critical for future job security

Statistic 44

62% of shoe companies report difficulty in sourcing skilled digital artisans

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Key Highlights

65% of shoe industry companies have increased their investment in employee upskilling since 2020
48% of shoe manufacturers reported a skills gap in digital design
72% of footwear companies plan to implement reskilling programs within the next year
54% of shoe companies have partnered with online platforms for employee training
42% of shoe industry workers believe that digital skills are the most critical for future employability
58% of reskilling initiatives in the shoe industry focus on automation and robotics
71% of shoe brands report a shortage of skilled workers in sustainable manufacturing practices
66% of small shoe enterprises lack formal upskilling programs
49% of shoe industry HR managers believe reskilling reduces turnover
37% of footwear companies have introduced virtual reality training tools
55% of workers in the shoe industry expect to learn new digital design software in the next 12 months
69% of shoe manufacturing firms report an increasing need for cross-training employees
61% of footwear companies are investing in AI-driven training programs

As the shoe industry accelerates into the digital age, a surge in upskilling and reskilling initiatives—spurred by 65% of companies increasing investment since 2020 and more than two-thirds planning to implement new programs—are transforming workforce capabilities to meet heightened demands for innovation, sustainability, and technological proficiency.

Industry Digital Transformation and Automation

58% of reskilling initiatives in the shoe industry focus on automation and robotics

Industry Digital Transformation and Automation Interpretation

With 58% of reskilling efforts in the shoe industry honing in on automation and robotics, it’s clear that the industry is toeing the line between traditional craftsmanship and a high-tech future—stitching innovation into every step.

Skills Development and Upskilling Initiatives

65% of shoe industry companies have increased their investment in employee upskilling since 2020
72% of footwear companies plan to implement reskilling programs within the next year
42% of shoe industry workers believe that digital skills are the most critical for future employability
66% of small shoe enterprises lack formal upskilling programs
49% of shoe industry HR managers believe reskilling reduces turnover
55% of workers in the shoe industry expect to learn new digital design software in the next 12 months
69% of shoe manufacturing firms report an increasing need for cross-training employees
61% of footwear companies are investing in AI-driven training programs
43% of the shoe industry workforce has undergone reskilling initiatives in the past year
78% of shoe brands consider upskilling their staff as a strategic priority for competitive advantage
52% of footwear companies plan to increase their training budgets in 2024
50% of new hires in the shoe industry require upskilling within their first six months
64% of shoe companies are adopting online microlearning modules for workforce development
57% of footwear brands see upskilling as essential for adopting sustainable manufacturing technologies
46% of shoe industry managers agree that reskilling efforts contribute to innovation
67% of shoe companies have identified digital craftsmanship as a key area for employee upskilling
63% of footwear companies use external training providers for upskilling initiatives
40% of shoe industry employees have attended online courses on sustainable materials
74% of shoe brands report increased productivity after implementing reskilling programs
53% of shoe companies are considering AI as part of their reskilling strategies
70% of shoe manufacturing firms have introduced virtual workshops for skills development
49% of employees in the shoe industry believe that reskilling creates new career pathways
68% of shoe industry respondents believe that reskilling enhances adaptability to market changes
44% of shoe brands have observed a measurable ROI from their upskilling initiatives
60% of footwear companies have set specific KPIs to measure the success of reskilling programs
43% of shoe industry employees have received training on new manufacturing technologies in the past year
75% of shoe companies recognize continuous learning as vital for long-term growth
59% of shoe manufacturing firms have integrated digital twin technology training into their upskilling programs
63% of shoe manufacturing workers report increased confidence after participating in reskilling programs
54% of footwear companies consider upskilling a key driver for innovation in product design
51% of shoe companies plan to train their staff in blockchain technology for transparent supply chains
47% of shoe industry firms have launched sustainability-focused upskilling initiatives
66% of shoe workers express interest in learning new skills related to e-commerce and digital sales

Skills Development and Upskilling Initiatives Interpretation

Amidst a resolute push toward digital mastery and innovation—evidenced by over 70% of footwear firms planning reskilling within a year—shoe industry stakeholders recognize that upskilling isn't just a passion for progress but a strategic necessity, even as nearly half of small enterprises lag behind in formal programs, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive, future-proof workforce development.

Training and Education Strategies

54% of shoe companies have partnered with online platforms for employee training
37% of footwear companies have introduced virtual reality training tools
39% of shoe companies have developed internal digital learning platforms
55% of footwear producers have incorporated Augmented Reality (AR) into their training programs
40% of shoe company training programs include modules on circular economy principles

Training and Education Strategies Interpretation

As the footwear industry laces up for the future, over half are teaming with online platforms, integrating virtual and augmented reality tools, and championing circular economy principles—proof that even shoemakers recognize that to stay ahead, you need to walk the digital walk.

Workforce Skills Gap and Talent Shortage

48% of shoe manufacturers reported a skills gap in digital design
71% of shoe brands report a shortage of skilled workers in sustainable manufacturing practices
47% of shoe industry employees feel that their skills are currently inadequate for industry demands
69% of shoe industry workers see digital skills as critical for future job security
62% of shoe companies report difficulty in sourcing skilled digital artisans

Workforce Skills Gap and Talent Shortage Interpretation

As the shoe industry laces up for the future, the glaring skills gap—highlighted by nearly half of manufacturers struggling with digital design and over 70% citing a shortage of sustainable manufacturing expertise—reminds us that without urgent upskilling and reskilling, even the most stylish strides may leave companies stumbling in the digital age.