OCCUPATION: LEATHER REPAIR TECHNICIAN

Name: Daniel Romero

Company: Anthony’s Custom Shoe Repair, Corona del Mar

Thumbs up: “I like doing high-quality, specialized work. It makes me proud to get referrals from customers and stores like Neiman-Marcus, who say I’m the best around.”

Thumbs down: “I don’t like having to redo someone else’s poor workmanship. But when customers bring something to me that they have tried to have fixed elsewhere, I always give it extra-special attention. Next time, they’ll come to Anthony’s first.”

Next step: “Every day is another step. After 25 years, I’m still learning.”

Advice: “Learning to do good work is not easy and takes time. It’s important to have a good attitude and to listen to your instructor. The job must be taken seriously in order to learn enough to move beyond basic shoe repair.”

Salary range: In Orange County, apprentice leather repair technicians earn approximately $6 per hour. Those with several years’ experience can earn up to $15 per hour.

Hours: Leather repair technicians work 40 hours per week, with Saturday work often required.

Educational and training requirements: Leather repair is learned through an apprenticeship to an experienced technician. Training starts with basic shoe repair and advances to other leather goods, such as luggage, jackets, belts and handbags. It takes about four to five years to become proficient. Most shops require apprentices to have at least a high school diploma.

Size of work force: Small. In Orange County, 600 people work as leather repair technicians.

Expected demand: Steady. Technicians who do quality work build a reputation and often receive continuous referrals.

Job description: Beginning leather repair technicians perform mostly shoe repair, which includes fixing tears and applying new heels and soles. Experienced technicians do specialized work, such as altering leather garments, applying new hardware on leather luggage, restitching seams, designing a custom fit for a pair of boots and sizing belts. Materials brought for repair can range from Gucci luggage to $1,000 leather driving suits for auto racers.

Major employing industries: Shoe and luggage repair shops. Large manufacturers of leather goods also employ repair technicians.

For more information: Shoe repair shops can provide information on apprenticeships, or call the Employment Development Department at (714) 558-4294

Los Angeles Times