Leather craftworker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by professional bodies

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a craft design course to learn some of the skills you'll need in this career. Examples include:

• fashion design
• fashion and textiles

Check with providers to make sure they offer training in leather as part of their courses. Some providers may also do short courses in leathercrafts.

You could specialise by doing a course in saddlery, if you want to work with suppliers to the horse riding industry.

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You can do an apprenticeship to get into this job, such as:

• Leather Craftsperson Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Bespoke Saddler Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These can take around 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You can apply directly to be taken on as a trainee leather craftworker. Employers may be more interested in your practical ability than formal qualifications, although it'll help if you have GCSEs in subjects like English, art and design, maths, and design and technology.

OtherRoutes

If you want to work in saddlery and harness making, you can do specialist training through The Society of Master Saddlers .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work well with others
• customer service skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• knowledge of maths
• excellent verbal communication skills
• persistence and determination
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of English language
• active listening skills
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Leather craftworkers make clothes, shoes and accessories from leather, using traditional methods.

As a leather craftworker, you would:

• design clothing and coverings, and accessories like bags and wallets
• use patterns to measure and cut pieces of leather
• stitch pieces of leather together by hand or machine
• stain, wax and polish products
• check the quality of finished items

You might also repair items for clients, and market your business if self employed.

Location : You could work in a workshop, in a factory or from home.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £21,000
Experienced : £30,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is 9am to 5pm

Career Path:

With experience, you could:

• become a workshop supervisor
• move into training future craftworkers
• specialise in an area like pattern design, furniture restoration or quality control
• set up your own business, selling items at craft fairs, trade events and online