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
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 Design and Production
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.
Entry requirements
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
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Apprenticeship
You can do a leather craftsperson intermediate apprenticeship, or specialise in saddlework by completing a bespoke saddler advanced apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 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
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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.
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Further information
You can find out more about working in the leather industry from The Leathersellers' Company and UKFT.
You can get more information on working in craft and creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.