Leather Craftworker

Typical Salary

£14,000 To £22,000

Typical Hours

38 to 40 a week

9am to 5pm

How To Become a Leather Craftworker

You can get into this job through:

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

College / University

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills you need in this job. Relevant courses include:

Level 2 Certificate in Apparel, Footwear, Leather or Textile Production
Level 3 Diploma in Apparel, Footwear, Leather or Textile Production
Level 3 Diploma in Fashion and Design

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can do a leather craftsperson intermediate apprenticeship, or specialise in saddlework by completing a bespoke saddler advanced apprenticeship.

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

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You can apply directly to be taken on as a trainee 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.

Other Routes

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

You can also do specialist leather courses through the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies and the BLC Leather Technology Centre.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to work well with your hands
the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
the ability to use your initiative
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work well with others
knowledge of maths
the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

using a pattern to measure and cut pieces of leather
designing clothing, coverings or accessories
preparing leather, using chemicals
stitching pieces of leather by hand or machine
adding handles, straps and buckles
staining, waxing and polishing products

Working Environment

You could work in a workshop, in a factory or from home.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression

You could become a supervisor or specialise in an area like leather pattern design, sales or marketing.

You could also set up your own business or move into the leather manufacturing and finishing industry.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about working in the leather industry from The Leathersellers' Company.

You can get more information on working in craft and creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.