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Leather craftworker apprenticeships

Creative and media | Manufacturing

Leather craftworker apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this job through

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


    • College

    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 
    You could also specialise with a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Saddlery, if you want to work with suppliers to the horse riding industry. You'll usually need: 

    • 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 Level 2 apprenticeship, or specialise in saddlework by completing a bespoke saddler Level 3 apprenticeship.

    You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for Level 3 apprenticeships. You'll need some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for Level 2 apprenticeships.

    Direct Application
    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. 

    Leather craftworker apprenticeships - what it takes

    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

    Leather craftworker apprenticeships - what you'll do

    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 and progression - Leather craftworker apprenticeships

    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.

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    Considering an Apprenticeship?

    There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

    • Paid Training
      Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
    • Range of career opportunities
      There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
    • Earn & learn
      As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
    • Great career prospects
      Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
    • Learn on the job
      There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

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