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Leather Craftworker

Do you want to become a Leather Craftworker? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Leather craftworkers use leather to make goods such as suitcases, bags and purses. Some specialise in saddlery, making and repairing saddles and bridles.

• They may use machines or work by hand, using special tools.
• Sometimes they see an item through from start to finish, including design and making.
• In other cases, they work on one stage of the process and then pass the item to someone else.

Hours are normally 37 to 40 a week, Monday to Friday. It is possible to work from home, or in a factory or workshop.

Salaries range from £8,500 to £18,000 a year.

Leather craftworkers should:

• have excellent eyesight
• pay close attention to detail
• be good with their hands.

There are around 5,000 leather craftworkers in the UK, and most of them work for small firms making a variety of leather goods. Some are self-employed.

Most saddle manufacturers are located in Walsall, while rural saddlers are concentrated in the south of England.

There are different ways to train, including apprenticeships and City & Guilds courses (which can be done through home study). The Countryside Agency runs a course in saddlery, and accepts mature students who are already working in the industry.

There is no upper age limit for entry, but some employers prefer to take on young trainees. Older applicants with relevant experience may stand a greater chance of being accepted for training.

It is not easy to find vacancies as the leather industry has contracted in the UK.

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