Leather laboratory technician
A leather laboratory technician is a person who performs and reports the chemical analyses and the physical tests carried out on leather, and who performs and reports chemical analyses of the auxiliaries used in its production and of the environmental emissions and discharges that production creates. The technician sees that each test is carried out to the applicable national, international or customer standard.
Check yourself in a minute: leather laboratory technician
Rate 5 of the 20 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
create solutions to problems
maintain equipment
adapt to changing situations
identify defects on raw hides
manage quality of leather throughout the production process
About leather laboratory technician
Two kinds of testing sit side by side. The physical tests ask what the leather does: how it tears, stretches, abrades, holds colour and takes water. The chemical analyses ask what is in it, which is a question about the hides and about everything added to them along the way.
The chemistry is specialised. The technician works from leather chemistry, from the physico-chemical properties of raw hides, and from the properties of the chemical substances used in tanning.
Which standard applies is as important as the result. A customer standard and a national standard can test the same property by different methods and produce different numbers, so the technician has to report what was measured and under which method. Quality control systems, maintaining the equipment, identifying with the company's goals, communication techniques for reporting a finding, and adapting when a product or a specification changes all belong to the role.
Key skills in this occupation
Essential skills and knowledge areas from the European ESCO classification, 20 in total. The ones most specific to this occupation come first.
- create solutions to problems
Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance.
practical skill - maintain equipment
Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
practical skill - adapt to changing situations
Change approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people's needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.
practical skillresilient to AI - identify defects on raw hides
Analyse, identify and evaluate the possible defects present on raw hides/skins.
practical skill - manage quality of leather throughout the production process
Manage systems for the customer-focused organisation of leather production processes.
practical skill - manage environmental impact of operations
Manage the interaction with and impact on the environment by companies.
practical skill - execute working instructions
Understand, interpret and properly apply work instructions regarding different tasks in the workplace.
practical skill - use IT tools
Application of computers, computer networks and other information technologies and equipment to storing, retrieving, transmitting and manipulating data, in the context of a business or enterprise.
practical skill
Check which of these skills you already have ↑
Knowledge (9)
leather technology
leather physical testing
physico-chemical properties of hides and skins
test leather chemistry
leather finishing technologies
functionalities of machinery
leather chemistry
quality control systems
characteristics of chemicals used for tanning
Practical skills (3)
identify with the company's goals
use communication techniques
work in textile manufacturing teams
Optional skills (9) — show
health and safety in the workplace
leather colour chemistry
pack leather
apply colouring recipes
test chemical auxiliaries
prepare colour mixtures
monitor operations in the leather industry
develop manufacturing recipes
differentiate nuance of colours
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
Frequently asked questions
What does a leather laboratory technician do?
Leather laboratory technicians perform and report chemical analyses and physical tests of leather. They also perform and report chemical analyses of auxiliaries, environmental emissions and discharges. They ensure that the tests are carried out according to appropriate national, international or customer standards.
What skills does a leather laboratory technician need?
A leather laboratory technician needs 20 essential skills, including leather technology, leather physical testing, physico-chemical properties of hides and skins, test leather chemistry, leather finishing technologies.
Will AI replace leather laboratory technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for leather laboratory technician is 30/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: test leather chemistry, quality control systems, test chemical auxiliaries. Most resilient: adapt to changing situations, work in textile manufacturing teams, apply colouring recipes.
AI Replacement Risk
Quick Facts
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