Apprenticeship training course

Leather craftsperson (level 2)

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Information about Leather craftsperson (level 2)

Producing or manufacturing leather goods for a number of markets.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • How Health and Safety legislation applies to their role including those specific to noise, chemicals, fire, dust, working time regulations, safe processes, manual handling, safety management, hazard identification and risk assessment in the work area
  • The impact of processes on the environment, the efficient use of resources, recycling, reuse and the safe disposal of all types of waste (i.e. ISO 14001 Environmental Management)
  • Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) regulations, including storage and handling of hides
  • Tools, equipment and machinery used with a range of materials for leather production processing such as Moisture content testing meter, Thickness measurement gauge, Trimming knives & shears, Edge tools, Pricking iron, Skiving machine and Bench splitter
  • The identification and correction of production problems such as machinery not working correctly and associated corrective actions
  • How machinery innovations have improved leather manufacture techniques and processes (i.e. building on heritage skill, rather than replacing)
  • The characteristics, properties and behaviours of a variety of materials and components used in leather production and their suitable application (i.e. chemicals used in retannage)
  • Leatherworking practices and importance that leather manufacture has on the economy
  • The ‘end-to-end’ processes from raw material to finished leathergoods product
  • Leather terminology and its use in the workplace
  • How to recognise faults in materials and components (i.e. surface scars, flaws, faults and damage in the leather grain surface)
  • The heritage of UK leather manufacturing, its products and quality standards associated with their role (i.e. ISO 9001 Quality Management)
  • The importance of a cost-effective workflow
  • Different manufacturing theories and methods (i.e. lean, JIT and bulking)

  Skills

  • Comply with personal responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other safety legislation.
  • Use equipment in accordance with safe operating procedures and manufacturers’ instructions.
  • Dispose safely of waste and surplus materials.
  • Identify the correct tools and equipment and use appropriately such as Moisture content testing meter, Thickness measurement gauge, Trimming knives & shears, Edge tools, Pricking iron, Skiving machine and Bench splitter.
  • Carry out running maintenance within agreed schedules to ensure the efficiency of machinery, tools and equipment (i.e. settings and preparation of tools) to meet production expectations.
  • Read and interpret data from specifications and appropriate work instructions.
  • Follow instructions in order to meet customer and company requirements.
  • Implement efficient and effective use of materials by closely following instructions and minimizing waste.
  • Undertake processes to maintain consistent speed and quality requirements as outlined by the company.
  • Communicate effectively with internal/external customers, colleagues and managers and work as part of a team.
  • Effectively self-manage their time and work load to meet deadlines.

  Behaviours

  • Reliability and dependability to consistently deliver expectations in production, quality, work ethics and self-development.
  • Accountability, to follow the specified procedures and controls and be personally responsible for their production work and personal development.
  • Recognise and appreciate equality and diversity in the workplace.
  • A questioning attitude, to understand the processes and associated industrial applications.
  • Intervention, to challenge poor practices and channel feedback to the appropriate authorities to implement change.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Creative and design
• Qualification level: 2; Equal to GCSE
• Course duration: 15 months
• Maximum funding: £5,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Leather craftperson
  • Sustainable leather craftperson

View more information about Leather craftsperson (level 2) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.