Reviving the Heart of the Marikina Shoemaking Industry

    At the same time, the future of the industry depends on passing down skills to the next generation. Many experienced shoemakers are getting older, and fewer young people are choosing to enter the trade. In the past, skills were usually taught within families or small workshops, but this effort has slowly deteriorated. Today, training workshops and learning programs help fill that gap by giving interested individuals a chance to learn the craft. When local leaders recognize and support these programs, they help ensure that these efforts continue and reach more people. This shows that reviving the industry is not only about selling more shoes, but also about protecting the knowledge and craftsmanship behind them.

   A more recent effort to strengthen the industry is the involvement of Marikina Polytechnic College in footwear education and innovation. Through its Footwear Innovation and Technology (FIT) Research Laboratory, students receive hands-on training in footwear design, prototyping, and modern manufacturing technologies while collaborating with industry professionals. The college has also partnered with local shoemakers to provide internships that allow students to experience the entire shoemaking process—from designing and producing shoes to marketing finished products. By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and entrepreneurship, these initiatives encourage more young people to view shoemaking as a viable career while helping preserve and modernize Marikina’s footwear industry.