Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
What is a Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers?
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers are skilled artisans who specialize in the construction, repair, and restoration of leather goods, specifically footwear, bags, and other leather products. This trade involves a variety of tasks including the stitching, patching, and re-soling of shoes, as well as cleaning, conditioning, and refurbishing leather items to extend their lifespan and enhance their appearance. The role requires a keen eye for detail and a thorough understanding of different types of leather and materials, as well as techniques for working with them. In addition to hands-on craftsmanship, these workers often provide customer service by discussing repair options, advising on the best care practices, and ensuring customer satisfaction. In an era increasingly focused on sustainability, Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers play a vital role in promoting the longevity of leather goods, reducing waste, and advocating for the repair and reuse of materials rather than their disposal. Overall, this career combines creativity, technical skills, and a commitment to high-quality craftsmanship in the traditional and evolving world of leather goods.
Tasks
- Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
- Cut out parts, following patterns or outlines, using knives, shears, scissors, or machine presses.
- Construct, decorate, or repair leather products according to specifications, using sewing machines, needles and thread, leather lacing, glue, clamps, hand tools, or rivets.
- Repair and recondition leather products such as trunks, luggage, shoes, saddles, belts, purses, and baseball gloves.
- Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, to join parts.
Technology Skills
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Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
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Accounting software
- Bookkeeping software
- Financial accounting software
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Point of sale POS software
- Sale processing software
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Inventory management software
- Inventory tracking software
Tools Used
- Sewing machines
- Leather cutting machines
- Awls
- Hammers
- Blade sharpener
Knowledge
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Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Skills
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Abilities
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Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Less than high school diploma
Work Activities
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
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Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Detailed Work Activities
- Assemble garments or textile products.
- Trim excess material from workpieces.
- Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.
- Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products.
- Repair textiles or apparel.
Work Interests
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Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$25620.0 - $48440.0
New job opportunities are less likely in the future. : Below Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.