Shoe repairers mend and maintain footwear, and increasingly other accessories such as belts and bags. Jobs include replacing worn soles and heels, as well as carrying out more complicated tasks such as renewing stitching and welts or building up heels and soles. They also clean, polish, dye or stain shoes, and replace accessories such as buckles, laces, zips and straps.

They carry out repairs at a workbench, using specialist tools and machinery. Shoe repairers maintain their own equipment, sharpening cutting tools and regularly servicing machinery. Most shoe repairers are based in high street shops, where other services such as key cutting, watch repair and engraving are offered.

Dealing with payments from customers may be part of the job; and if self employed, repairers will be responsible for keeping their own accounts.

Hours and Environment

Most shoe repairers work a 40-hour week, including Saturdays. It is possible to work part-time.

The job involves a great deal of standing, working with machinery and hand tools. The job can be dusty, dirty and noisy, and work can involve dealing with fumes from strong adhesives. All shoe repairers wear protective clothing.

Skills and Interests

As a shoe repairer, you should:

• have good practical skills
• be patient and able to pay attention to detail
• be safety conscious
• be able to work on your own initiative
• be good at dealing with customers, listening to their requirements and explaining the repair
• be able to work under pressure if necessary, to meet deadlines
• be able to estimate costs and have cash-handling skills
• have good eyesight in order to work with small stitching
• have normal colour vision to match dye colours.

Entry

You do not normally need any specific entry qualifications to be a shoe repairer. Employers may ask you to take a short aptitude test, including English, arithmetic and practical skills.

Some fashion design courses contain options in footwear, for instance, the ABC Diploma in Fashion has options in Footwear and Creative Construction Processes: Footwear. Check with local colleges for precise details of options available within their fashion design courses.

Qualifications or experience in other craft areas, such as leatherwork, may be helpful. Similarly, retail and customer care experience may be useful in gaining an initial position.

For more details about this job, see the Careers in Clothing website in Further Information.

Training

• dealing with customers
• advising on repairs
• preparing the work
• choosing materials.

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

Opportunities

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Salaries start between £10,000 and £12,000 a year.
Average salaries for experienced staff fall between £12,500 and £17,000.

Bonus schemes may also be available. Self-employed repairers’ earnings are linked to the shop’s takings.

Further information