The Colombian leather and footwear industry looks strong on paper but inside its workshops a serious problem is growing fast according to El Frente.
The sector is running out of skilled workers. Young people are no longer stepping in to learn the craft. Without new hands the future of the industry is at risk.
Machines that once ran all day now sit quiet. Many workshops no longer see young apprentices learning from senior artisans. The generational handover has broken.
Marcela Caicedo Ríos president of Colombian Association of Footwear, Leather, and Leather Goods (ACICAM) says the warning signs are clear.
“We are facing a huge challenge. New generations are not interested in jobs that need time dedication and technical effort to become masters”
– Marcela Caicedo Ríos President ACICAM
The leather, footwear and leather goods industry supports over 560,000 direct and indirect jobs in Colombia. It remains one of the most labor intensive manufacturing sectors in the country.
Santander is a key hub. The region has 1,880 registered companies and around 8,200 direct jobs. Small family businesses traditional workshops and growing manufacturers all depend on skilled hands.
Yet young workers are choosing technology driven careers and faster learning jobs. Many see leather work as physically demanding and slow to reward.
This gap is already hurting production. In 2025 footwear consumption rose 5% and leather goods grew 4% between January and September. But higher demand did not mean higher output.
Factories are struggling to find cutters stitchers assemblers and sole fitters. Delivery times are rising and new orders are being turned away.
At the same time cheap Asian imports and contraband are squeezing local producers. Products sold online often enter without proper duties making fair competition impossible.
Despite this pressure exports remain a bright spot. Colombian footwear sells well in Ecuador the United States and Costa Rica. Leather goods reach Mexico the United States and Peru.
The IFLS + EICI trade fair remains the industry’s biggest hope. The event marks 25 years in 2026 and is expected to host 430 exhibitors. It connects manufacturers designers students and global buyers under one roof.
The future now depends on urgent action. If young talent does not return and skilled hands retire without replacements the industry risks long term decline. The craft must be passed on before it fades away.
