Orthopedic shoemaker
The orthopedic shoemaker or orthopedic shoe technician is one of the medical-technical trades (health trades). The range of services includes all technical shoe measures for maintaining, promoting and restoring foot health, starting with small individual changes to the ready-to-wear shoe and shoe insoles to the production of orthopedic custom-made shoes or complex orthotics. In addition, there is comprehensive advice and problem solutions for shoe and foot problems in prophylactic and acute areas.
Demarcation and work image
Thus, the orthopedic shoe technician differs significantly from the conventional shoemaker , who is primarily concerned with the repair of ready-made shoes. Even if the “normal” shoemaker builds custom-made shoes, this is a difference to the custom-made orthopedic shoe.
The production of special shoes, the conversion of ready-made footwear, for example for the needs of diabetics , are the focus of this profession. This also includes the adaptation of insoles to correct malformed feet as well as padding and relief for certain areas on the foot. This is especially important for diabetics to keep the feet healthy.
Medical foot care , which is also part of the job description , takes up very little space both in training and in practice.
education
Germany
The training period to become an orthopedic shoemaker in Germany is 3½ years. Further training to become a master orthopedic shoemaker is possible after passing the journeyman's examination. In addition, there is also the possibility of completing a technical college degree at the TH Mittelhessen and the FH Steinfurt for further training to become a graduate engineer.
Austria
In Austria, training also lasts 3.5 years in the dual training system . Apprentices are trained at vocational schools and in training companies, mostly orthopedic shoemakers. You conclude with the final apprenticeship examination , which also applies to the shoemaker's profession. Further training to become a master craftsman and a year of professional activity are the prerequisites for self- employment in the regulated craft of orthopedic shoemakers. Alternatively, a completed apprenticeship final examination also enables admission to the vocational matura (vocational maturity examination) and subsequently to further higher qualifications, e.g. B. at universities of applied sciences.
Switzerland
In Switzerland, training takes 4 years in the dual training system . Apprentices are trained in training companies and at vocational schools in Zofingen. Alternatively, trained shoemakers can also be trained as orthopedic shoemakers with a further (shortened) apprenticeship of 2 years. Successful completion of the final apprenticeship examination enables admission to the vocational baccalaureate .
The training structure for master orthopedic shoemakers is currently being revised by the "Foot & Shoe Association".
literature
- Wolfgang Marquardt: The history of orthopedic shoemaking , in: August Rütt (Hg.): History of orthopedics in the German-speaking area . Enke, Stuttgart 1993. ISBN 3-432-25261-7 , pp. 80-86.
Web links
- Professional and industry information from the Austrian Chamber of Commerce
- Training and trade access regulations of the Austrian Ministry of Economic Affairs.
- Announcement of the Orthopedic Shoemaker Training Ordinance and the framework curriculum from August 18, 2015 ( BAnz AT October 5 , 2015 B1 )
- Verband Fuss & Schuh (Swiss Association of Orthopedic Shoemakers and Shoemakers) https://www.fus.org/
- IFA Report 4/2019: Noise exposure in the job description of orthopedic shoemaker
Individual evidence
- ↑ Text of the Orthopedic Shoemaker Training Ordinance .
- ↑ Appendix A of the Crafts Code
- ↑ www.heimarbeit.de: Orthopedic shoe technician .
- ^ Text of the Orthopedic Shoemaker Ordinance