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Leather technologist

  • Hours

    30-40 per week

  • Starting salary

    £14,500 + per year



The work

As a leather technologist you would work on the different stages of leather production. This would involve preparing, treating and finishing leather using chemical processes such as:

  • curing – preserving the hide, using salting, chilling or biochemical methods
  • liming and fleshing – removing hair and tissue from the hide
  • de-liming and bating – neutralising the alkalis produced in the previous stage with enzymes
  • pickling and de-greasing – preparing the hide for tanning, and using solvents to clear surplus grease
  • tanning – using various chemical and vegetable extracts to stop the leather from decaying
  • dyeing and drying – colouring and mechanically drying the leather
  • finishing – applying finishes to conceal surface flaws and provide protective coatings like waterproofing.

Your other duties could include:

  • supervising operatives in the factory
  • researching, testing and sampling chemicals, dyes and products in the laboratory
  • monitoring waste and by-products to make sure that they fall within safety limits
  • writing up research and operational reports for managers.

You might also work in quality control, checking the leather before it is sent to product manufacturers. This would normally involve measuring and grading the leather according to customer requirements, for instance by softness, colour and finish.


Hours

You would normally work from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, although some companies may operate a shift system that includes evenings and weekends.

You would be based in a factory, workshop or laboratory, or a combination of all three. Many of the processes involve working with hazardous chemicals, so you would use protective clothing and equipment for most tasks.


Income

  • Starting salaries can be between £14,500 and £18,500 a year.
  • With experience, this can rise to between £20,000 and £26,000.
  • Senior technologists can earn over £30,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.


Entry requirements

You can become a leather technologist in a number of ways. You may be able to start on a footwear and leather goods Apprenticeship scheme, or in more general manufacturing or laboratory operations. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website.

Alternatively, you could take a college course, such as the ABC Level 3 Diploma in Apparel, Footwear or Leather Production, or the Level 3 Certificate in Footwear and Leather, which would teach you some of the skills needed.

The Institute of Creative Leather Technologies (ICLT), based at the University of Northampton, offer a Leathersellers Award for new entrants to the industry, as well as degrees and postgraduate courses in Leather Science and Technology. Visit the ICLT website for more details and course entry requirements.

With a qualification in Applied Science, you may be able to learn the skills and experience needed by finding work in research or testing with a laboratory.


Training and development

Once you are working, your employer may encourage you to take the NVQ in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities at levels 1 to 4. You could also work towards the Certificate in Laboratory Technical Skills at levels 1 to 3 or the Level 2/3 Certificate in Footwear and Leather.

As an experienced technologist, you could take the one-year Leathersellers Certificate offered by the University of Northampton. This course has been designed for people working in the industry, and combines the study of practical leather-making with leather science, management and other relevant subjects.

There are also various short training courses offered by the BLC Leather Technology Centre, aimed at technical staff employed in leather manufacturing. You can find more details on the BLC website.

Another way you could improve your career prospects is by taking professional development awards offered by the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists (SLTC). For more details, see the SLTC website.


Skills and knowledge

  • an interest and ability in science, particularly chemistry
  • good organisational and planning skills for projects and lab work
  • the ability to work methodically and accurately
  • creativity for developing new ideas and solving problems
  • the ability to analyse and interpret lab test results
  • some mechanical and engineering knowledge
  • good teamworking skills
  • a safety conscious approach to work.

More information

Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists (Opens new window)
www.sltc.org

University of Northampton BSLT (Opens new window)
British School of Leather Technology
Park Campus
Boughton Green Road
Northampton
NN2 7AL
Tel: 01604 735500
www.northampton.ac.uk/

BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd (Opens new window)
Leather Trade House
Kings Park Road
Moulton Park
Northampton
NN3 6JD
Tel: 01604 679999
www.blcleathertech.com

Creative Skillset (Opens new window)
Focus Point
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
www.creativeskillset.org

Creative Skillset Careers (Opens new window)
Tel: 08080 300 900 (England and Northern Ireland)
Tel: 0845 850 2502(Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
www.creativeskillset.org/careers


Opportunities

You could find work with leather producers throughout the UK. Jobs are also available in the footwear industry, chemical and engineering industries, and with manufacturers of leather goods, making luggage, furniture, vehicle upholstery and sports equipment.

Jobs are advertised in the local press, on company websites, through Jobcentre Plus and on the Directgov website (Jobseekers page).

For a list of leather production companies, see the list on the Leather Connection website.

With experience, you could move into related jobs like production manager, company chemist, buyer or technical salesperson.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (Opens in a new window) there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.


Related industry information

Industry summary

The footwear and leather industry is part of the fashion and textiles sector, represented by Creative Skillset, which also includes: apparel; textiles; and footwear and leather; advertising; animation; computer games; facilities; film; >interactive media; photo imaging; publishing; radio; and television. The fashion and textiles sector as a whole employs an estimated 340,000 people across 79,000 enterprises, which are predominately small and medium sized employers. The sector contributes around £10 billion to the UK economy each year, but due to the current economic downturn, product exports have fallen. However, employment in the sector has remained relatively stable level.

The footwear and leather industry includes: leather production and tanning; the manufacture of leather goods and accessories, such as luggage; footwear; and shoe repair. Recent manufacturing output of the industry has declined, but productivity has risen where it has remained virtually static across the wider manufacturing sector. Clothing and footwear prices have fallen, but suppliers of niche and luxury leather goods are reportedly doing well.

Key facts:

  • The industry contributes around £700 million to the UK economy each year.
  • There are around 4,600 businesses, of which almost 3,000 are sole traders.
  • Almost 27,000 people work in the industry.
  • There is a forecast decline in the industry of 57% between 2006 and 2014.
  • The wholesale component of the footwear and leather industry is, however, expected to see modest growth in employment.

Jobs in the industry range from:

  • Production staff – leather production operative, footwear manufacturing operative, production manager, technical manager
  • Design staff – footwear designer, footwear technologist leather goods/accessories designer
  • Repair staff – shoe repairer, shop manager
  • Technology staff – leather technologist

National and regional data

The industry is widely distributed across England, but activity is heavily concentrated in Northamptonshire and Lancashire (both traditional footwear areas), together with Walsall (leather goods including saddlery) and Somerset (production of leather and leather goods).

East Midlands – There are around 4,000 people employed within the footwear and leather industry in the East Midlands, which is more than any other region of England. The majority of the workforce is based in Northampton.

East of England – There are almost 2,000 people employed within the industry. South Cambridgeshire has the largest workforce, followed by Norwich. To 2017, it is estimated that the number in the leather manufacturing industry will need to remain the same, at around 1,000 people.

London – There are around 3,000 people employed within the industry in London, making it the third largest region for footwear and leather in the UK. Hackney has the largest workforce, followed by Westminster. Employment is fairly evenly distributed throughout the remaining districts in London. To 2017, it is estimated that the number of people required in leather manufacturing will increase from around 2,000 to 3,000.

North East – There are around 340 people employed within the industry, which represents a small proportion of the total UK employment in this industry. Redcar and Cleveland have the largest number of people employed in the footwear and leather industry. Employment is fairly evenly distributed throughout the remaining districts. To 2017, it is estimated that 1,000 extra people will be required in leather manufacturing positions.

North West – There are almost 2,000 people employed within the industry in the North West. Manchester has the largest workforce, followed by West Lancashire then Allerdale, West Cumbria. It is estimated that there will be a decline in the total level of employment required in leather manufacturing between now and 2017.

South East – There are around 2,000 people employed within the industry, who are mainly located in mid‐Sussex. It is estimated that 1,000 more people will be required in leather manufacturing positions between now and 2017.

South West – There are over 3,000 people employed within the industry. Within this region, Mendip (NE Somerset), South Somerset and Bristol have the largest number of people employed. It is estimated that there will be a small decline in the total level of employment required in leather manufacturing to 2017. An estimated 1,000 people will be needed during this time.

West Midlands – There are almost 2,000 people employed within the industry, with well over half located in Walsall. It is estimated that there will be a slight increase in the total level of employment required in leather manufacturing between now and 2017 in the region and an estimated 4,000 recruits will be needed.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are almost 2,000 people employed within the industry, who are predominately located in Leeds and Bradford. To 2017, it is estimated that there will be a decline in the total level of employment required in leather manufacturing.

[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry, 2007.]


Career paths


Further sources


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