Footwear or leather working trade - overview

What does a footwear or leather worker do?

You’ll use your creative talents to design and make footwear and other leather goods using hand and machine tools. You’ll keep an eye on fashion trends and anticipate what’s in style.

You’ll use your knowledge to prepare leather with chemicals and add stain, wax, and polish products to create different effects. You’ll enjoy working with your hands and have an eye for detail stitching leather by hand and machine.

You might decide to specialise in a particular area such as saddlery and harness making.

You could work in a workshop, factory or from home if you decide to go self-employed.

Building your own business can take time, you’ll need to promote yourself and carry out administration tasks.

What will your days involve?

Daily tasks will vary but could involve:

• Waxing, cleaning, finishing and repairing footwear and other leather items
• Using handtools, machines, rivets and glue to create and repair leather goods
• Nailing, cementing and sewing soles and heels onto shoes and boots
• Cutting parts of leather materials using outlines and designs
• Calculating the cost of reshaping and repairing footwear or other items for customers
• Shaping shoe heels with a knife and sanding them with a buffing wheel
• Preparing leather using different chemicals
• Using wax and polish to create a lasting finish on leather items

FAQs

How much can you earn as a footwear or leather worker?

The average salary for a footwear or leather worker in the UK is £23,400. Graduates start at around £20,000.

Does the role of a footwear or leather worker involve travel in the UK or overseas?

Footwear and leather workers usually work from one location with minimal travel.

Can you work from home as a footwear or leather worker?

Footwear and leather workers typically work in workshops. They may work from home if deciding to be self-employed.