Skilled worker for leather production and tanning technology

Leather competence center Reutlingen

The specialist for leather production and tanning technology is a state-recognized training occupation according to the Vocational Training Act (BBiG). The name replaces the training profession tanner and its outdated training regulations from 1891.

The duration of the training is three years. It takes place at the company and vocational school learning locations .

Work area

Skilled workers for leather production and tanning technology work in companies in the leather industry and in craft workshops. There they manufacture leather for saddlery , clothing, sports equipment, but also car and furniture leather as well as shoe leather. They also find employment in factories that produce chemical additives for tannery.

Job qualifications

Historic tanner at a craft market

Skilled workers in leather production and tanning technology produce leather by tanning animal hide. To do this, they use different finishing methods. Before doing this, they assess the quality of the delivered raw materials and sort them for further processing.

Collagen by-products are produced during the production of the leather . These are prepared by the specialists for further processing, for example into gelatine . The leather produced is then dyed, neutralized and dried as required. If desired, mechanical processes are used to soften the leather or to compress it. Skilled workers for leather production and tanning technology are able to assess the quality of leather and to divide it into quality classes. To do this, they carry out haptic and visual tests.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Christiane Reuter: Reorganization of the vocational training for specialists in leather production and tanning technology (formerly Gerber)  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Project description on the BiBB website, (PDF), accessed on June 4, 2015.  

Web links

• Announcement of the leather production and tanning technology training ordinance and framework curriculum ( BAnz AT 09/22/2015 B1 )
• Ordinance on vocational training for skilled workers in leather production and tanning technology (Leather production and tanning technology training ordinance - LederGerbAusbV) Federal Law Gazette I p. 1148
• New and modernized apprenticeships 2015 , brochure of the IHK Ostwestfalen zu Bielefeld, (PDF), accessed on May 4, 2015.
• Further reorganized professions , presentation by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Upper Franconia Bayreuth, (PDF), accessed on May 4, 2015.