ARS Developments ck 1998/069596/23 t/a The Footwear Design & Technology School
Full Time - Technical Footwear Design Course
What is this course about
- This course lays down the foundations for you to enter the world of footwear.
It equips you with:
– Knowledge you need to be able to start your own brand of footwear
– Skills to be able to conceptualise and design your own footwear
– Skills to be able to make your own patterns
– Hand and machine skills to make your footwear
– Knowledge to source materials, components and machinery.
– Knowledge of footwear materials technology
– Access to marketing platform for your products
This course runs twice a year with starting dates in :
– February 2026
– August 2026
Course starting Dates
Sketching
With our proven methodology, we teach students who have no sketching ability, to sketch footwear from the side top and at an angle. This allows the learner greater flexbility to be creative up to the point where they can convert their sketches into 3D realisting images and build a professional portfolio.
Pattern Engineering
In order to make quality footwear one needs to have a well grounded ability to cut footwear patterns.
Using the best Italian methods our learners are taken through the process of making stuck on patterns for all the classical styles of footwear and variations thereof.
CAD
During the above processes the students learn all about using CAD to generate 3D realistic imagery of their footwear and also have an option to generate their patterns on Fusion 360 CAD. Both Vizcom and Fusion is supplied free of charge to the student for the period of one year.
Private Certificate in Technical Footwear Design
Students are issued with a private certificate in Technical Footwear Design.
Our certificates are recognised by the manufacturing industry and retail as they regularly send their students to us.
We have also trained for the FP&M seta in the past.
Our certificates are skills based and not accredited as there are no courses on our level registered on the National Qualifications Framework.
LOCATION
The workshop is located at Unit J01
Bronberg Mountain Estate Workshops
Graham Road
Zwavelpoort
Pretoria
Free Safe Parking in a very Safe environment
COST TO STUDENT
R20 000 all inclusive.
Requires a R10 000 registration deposit to secure the seat.
The balance of R10 000 is payable 30 days before the start of the course.
or
R5500 per month on a payfast subscription basis. A full credit check will be required for t
INCLUDED:
Carry bag
Pencil Bag
Pencils
Rulers
Markers x 4
Pattern Knife
Cutting board
Engineering Divider
Awl
Envelopes for patterns
Pattern Paper
Full Time - Shoemaking
What is this course about
NOTE:
It is highly recommended that you first complete the Technical design course before attending the shoemaking course.
This course takes the student through the process of assembling quality footwear. This includes the use of basic machinery and hand tools.
It is geared for the entrepreneur who wants to start their own shoe range or someone who wants to establish themselfs as a shoe designer.
The understanding that is captured in these processes is essential for any good shoemaker including existing experienced ones, and will be invaluable for any potential shoemaker or designer.
This course runs twice a year with starting dates in :
– April 2026
– October 2026
Course starting Dates
Use of Machinery and Tools
The student will learn to assemble footwear using the most basic and inexpensive machinery, teaching them two fundumental things namely:
- The technology behind shoemaking and what modern machinery is trying to achieve.
- The ability to start making footwear with a very small investment.
Assembly techniques
In order to make quality footwear one needs to have a well grounded understanding of how shoes are constructed and assembled using different backers and supports in order to make a strong well constructed shoe.
The correct use of cements is also key to long lasting shoes.
Using the best teqniques Glyn Giani has learned at Bally of Switzerland and Bolton footwear we coach students in the same ways.
Building of components
To make shoes certain components like heels soles and insoles need to be built from scratch. These techniques are all dealt with in the process and perfected.
Private Certificate in Shoemaking
Students are issued with a private certificate in Shoemaking.
Our certificates are recognised by the manufacturing industry and retail as they regularly send their students to us.
We have also trained for the FP&M seta in the past.
Our certificates are skills based and not accredited as there are no courses on our level registered on the National Qualifications Framework.
LOCATION
The workshop is located at Unit J01
Bronberg Mountain Estate Workshops
Graham Road
Zwavelpoort
Pretoria
Free Safe Parking in a very Safe environment
COST TO STUDENT
R25 000 all inclusive.
Requires a R10 000 registration deposit to secure the seat.
The balance of R15 000 is payable 30 days before the start of the course.
or
R5500 per month on a payfast subscription basis. A full credit check will be required for this.
INCLUDED:
A full shoemakers kit consisting of :
- Cobbler hammer
- Sewing awles
- Marking pens
- Apron
- Knife
- Folding dolly
- Tack puller
- Divider
- Set of Punches