To work as a shoe and leather worker, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

A few shoe and leather workers learn their skills through formal training programs. In this type of program, you take courses in leather crafting, stitching, and dyeing. You also learn how to construct and repair items. Formal training programs take up to a year to complete.

On-the-job training

Most shoe and leather workers learn their skills on the job from an experienced leather worker. You begin as a helper and do simple tasks such as staining leather. You also learn to brush and shine shoes. As you get more experience, you learn to repair and construct shoes and other items. On-the-job training may last up to a year (a few months is most common). It takes longer to learn how to make saddles.