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leather craftworker
Leather craftworkers create products in a variety of sectors, such as clothing, footwear, personal accessories and home furnishings. Different materials and finishes are used to make products including cowhides, nubuck, chamois, shagreen and suede. Finished articles include:
- bags and belts
- purses, wallets and suitcases
- shoes and sandals
- furniture and upholstery.
Craftworkers' tasks vary depending on the job but normally include:
- working from patterns to measure and cut leather sections
- joining sections by hand- or machine-stitching, or with solvents
- fitting linings, handles buckles and eyelets
- applying finishes, such as stains, waxes and polishes.
Craftworkers use hand and machine tools in their work, including punches, cutting and paring knives, edge shaves, pricking frames and awls. Craftworkers also use computer-aided design (CAD) for developing patterns, particularly when making bespoke products.
Some craftworkers make and repair specialist products and equipment, for example:
- saddles, bridles and harnesses
- coverings and finishes for books, boxes, chests and tableware
- clothing, armour and weapons for historical re-enactment organisations.
Hours and Environment
Leather craftworkers work 37 to 40 hours a week, and may sometimes work overtime to meet deadlines. Craftworkers work in small factories, workshops or from home.
Leatherwork involves sitting at a workbench for long periods. The work also involves using strong-smelling polishes, solvents and preservatives, so work areas are usually well ventilated. Protective clothing may also be necessary.
Leather craftworkers working in a rural area will usually need a driving licence.
Skills and Interests
To be a leather craftworker you should:
- have an appreciation for fine detail
- have an aptitude for practical work and creative design
- be able to concentrate for long periods
- be able to measure and cut sections precisely
- have good eyesight, particularly for close intricate work
- have a knowledge of CAD packages if working in pattern design
- have good customer care skills
- be aware of health and safety issues.
Entry
There are two main routes into this career:
Direct entry as an apprentice
This option is open to people aged between 16 and 24. You should look for Apprenticeships in clothing, crafts or land-based industries, which include leatherwork as part of the training. For information about Apprenticeships, including those in saddlery, see the Training section below.
College or private training course
A number of private and public training providers offer training courses in leathercraft and saddlery work. Whilst these courses do not guarantee employment, they are a useful way of developing leathercraft skills. Details of training providers are on the education and training sections of the Leather Connection and Society of Master Saddlers' websites in Further Information.
An alternative option is to do a broader crafts or fashion design course at a local college to develop some of the generic skills required, such as pattern design, cutting stitching and finishing. You can then move on to specialise in leather work. See the profiles in the Arts, Crafts and Design family for more details.
You may have to relocate to undertake training or employment, especially if you are considering rural leather crafts.
For details about working with leather in the clothing and footwear sectors, see Skillfast-UK, the Sector Skills Council for the clothing, footwear and textiles industry, in Further Information.
Training
You receive training on the job. There are NVQ/SVQ awards available including:
- Leather Production levels 2 and 3
- Leather Goods Level 2
- Footwear and Leather Products Manufacture Level 3.
For those working in saddlery there is a City & Guilds Certificate (4744) in Saddlery at levels 1, 2 and 3 with options in bridle, harness and saddle making.
Some of the training providers listed on the Leather Connection and the Society of Master Saddlers' websites run short training courses, aimed at leathercraft workers wishing to enhance their skills. For details, see their websites in Further Information.
The Worshipful Company of Saddlers and the Society of Master Saddlers manage the Saddlery Apprenticeship Scheme to help train new entrants in this field. The scheme lasts for four years and is geared towards young people. For more information, see the website for the Society of Master Saddlers below.
Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland
Opportunities
There are about 5,500 leather craftworkers in the UK, mostly working for small firms producing a variety of leather goods. Craftworkers working for a company may be able to take on supervisory duties or specialise, for example, in pattern design, sales and marketing. There may be scope for moving into the leather manufacturing and finishing industries. See the Leather Technologist profile for more details.
Many skilled and experienced leather craftworkers set up as self-employed, often working from home or from their own workshops.
Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
New entrants can expect to earn between £10,500 and £12,500 a year.
Experienced craftworkers can earn up to £18,000 a year.
Self-employed craftworkers set their own rates of pay.
Further information
Stonham
Stowmarket
Suffolk
IP14 5DS
Tel: 01449 711 642
Back To Arts Crafts and Design Careers
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The information contained in our Career Profiles Database was correct at time of publishing, but since publication certain details may have changed so please use this section as a research tool and in some cases further research may be required.
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