Leather Worker

Related Careers

• Shoe and Leather Worker and Repairer

• Jewellery Model and Mould Maker

• Shoe Machine Operator and Tender

• Precision Etcher and Engraver

• Fabric Mender

Leatherwork, including shoe making is a craft as old as the history of South Africa. Although synthetic materials such as plastic and rubber are today widely used for the production of shoes, Leather shoes and other items still remain in high demand.

The Leather Worker uses suitable Leather to cut the different pieces of leather for a pair of shoes or other leather items such as bells, handbags, suitcases and saddles. In order to ensure that the leather is cut in the right shape and size the leather Worker uses a pattern. The pieces of leather are stitched and glued together and the final product is then finished off and polished. In big shoe factories machines are used to mass-produce shoes. In smaller operations however most of the work is still done hard.

Repair and maintenance of leather items is another career opportunity for the Leather Worker. Repairs are done by attaching new parts such as heels and soles on shoes, re-sewing seams and linings of suitcase and handbags.