The CTCCA (Technology Centre for the Leather, Footwear and Allied Trades) in Brazil this year celebrates 29 years of supporting the shoe and leather sector. The centre’s mission has always been to research and seek information and innovation in the technology field to allow Brazil’s shoe and leather sector to develop further.

At the moment, CTCCA has two hundred and fifty members and is open to all companies operating in the sector. Today, CTCCA offers consultancy services ranging from human resources to the most highly sophisticated management systems including factory floor technologies and all the leather and shoe production processes.

The centre started life as the IBCA (Brazilian Institute for the Leather and Allied Trades), set up in October 1972 at the School of Tanning, in Estancia Velha/RS. In 1976, the IBCA became the CTCCA - Technology Centre for the Leather, Footwear and Allied Trades and moved to Novo Hamburgo/RS, centre of the largest footwear producing and exporting region in Brazil.

Until the current year, CTCCA trained labour by means of short courses but since last June the Centre is getting ready to set up the first set of courses at higher levels in partnership with the Federal Technological Education Centre, of Pelotas/RS. Initially, three courses will be offered: Leather Technologist, Footwear Technologist and a third one stressing production processes.