What will you do?
People also call you a shoemaker or a leather goods repairer. You analyse the customer's request, decide on the method, set the machine parameters and repair shoes and leather articles. You also personalise and polish leather goods, take payments and keep your workstation in good order.
- Analyse the customer's request and decide the method
- Set the parameters of the machines and equipment
- Repair shoes and leather articles
- Personalise and adjust shoes to the customer's wishes
- Polish and finish leather goods
- Take payments and hand over the work
- Keep the workstation clean and work safely
Skills to develop
- Working accurately with hand tools and repair machines
- Knowledge of leather and supple materials
- Manual dexterity and eye for finish
- Customer service and clear communication
- Handling cash and simple administration
- Careful, quality focused way of working
Your foundation for this occupation
Shoe and leather repair starts by deciding whether material and construction support a lasting repair. Learn to distinguish wear from damage and agree the expected result. Seek practical training in heels, soles, stitching and leather finishing, which involve different skills.
From preparation to your first day
Develop the practical skills
Practise on used shoes whose construction you can inspect. Choose a suitable method and material and finish edges carefully. Compare both shoes for height, shape and appearance. Learn machine and product use under supervision; bonding and finishing must suit the material.
Check your work
Check attachment, finish and wearability before return. Do not promise waterproofness or service life unsupported by the item's condition. Record agreed repairs and identify customer work so pairs and parts cannot be mixed up.
How can you grow?
Specialisation includes quality footwear, bags, leather goods and bespoke accessories. Medically prescribed or orthopaedic work requires a distinct scope and appropriate expertise. Clear repair decisions and neat detail work strengthen a portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
When is repair not the best option?
Severely degraded material or construction unable to support reliable attachment can make repairs short-lived. Explain this in advance and compare cost with expected use. Honest advice is part of the craft.