Introduction of Leather Technology
India’s leather industry is the 4th largest in the world which not only give attractive products to consumers in India but all over the world. Offering graceful career choices, leather industry in India has several potential which can be tapped for once more investment is done and recent technology is brought in. Risk facts about leather technology is that the leather industry till lately entertained expertise professionals as there were not want academic or research institutes in leather technology; however, the modern requirement to implement recent technology to manufacture fine range of leather product forces setting different institutes which can learn about leather and use of technology to produce powerful and suitable leather products.
Various Roles, various Names
- Leather Technologist working at Production Unit – A leather technologist working at a production unit is expected to monitor production line workers. Determine the water resistance capacity before the leather is processed fully is another key part of leather technologist. Leather technologists learn the usage of different chemicals in the processing of leather and monitor the processing as per specifications. Processing of skin and hyde so that leather can be offered a shape, assessment of the thickness, treatment of skin, softness, colour, texture, etc. and it is done by the leather technologist.
- Quality control and Research and by Leather Technologist – Leather technologist determine that a proper research and quality control is at its location when testing and analysis is done in the lab and for that chemical, dye stuffs and small scale implements are used.
- professional in Marketing and Sales – Leather product firms need professionals who have some knowledge of quality management or production in leather accessories in the marketing team as they can be the most suitable individual to deal with potential clients or customers. Additionally, a leather technologist working in sales department and marketing can have a powerful communication with the production department with accurate specifications and needs or demand.
Market Watch
Leather accessories have large demand in western countries and also in India. Notwithstanding the lack of trained leather technologists, India is able to manufacture fancy and graceful leather products. The need for designers of footwear and accessories like belts, purses, caps, bags, toys, baggage, musical instruments, upholstery, gift items, garment tags, etc. generates most of the jobs in leather production and design.
International Focus
Students with excellent designing talent can choose for overseas jobs which are in more. The US and UK need leather technologists who can employ in reducing pollution level caused by the producing process. Similarly, professionals employing as designer for leather accessories have a lot of job options working with several leather products manufacturing company. Main advantage of working in overseas leather firms is that student gets good salaries and high class standard of living.
Positives or Negatives
Career in leather technology given attractive growth opportunities and a person working in it can later on tend from production technologist to research or technical management, quality control checker, etc. Then opportunities are open for working in departments like buying, marketing or sales. And, supremely working in MNCs is possible if you are recruited for oversea jobs.
The only negative side of the career is that dealing with the raw material is a frightening task.
Step-by- Step
Leather technology is speed changing and it is risk to keep pace with the latest advancements in the field. A degree program or diploma in leather technology is necessary to make an impactful joining into the industry. The courses in leather technology are planned to cater to the specific needs of the industry and enable a student to fit into a particular job.
Background in chemistry is beneficial for the students who are aspiring to glow in leather technology as later on they need to deal in chemicals within the process of leather and leather products. Scopes of opening small production unit of leather cannot be ruled out, particularly when small scale industries area unit being given aid and leather technology is low cost-intensive and needs comparatively small investment and power supply. Low-cost labor and available raw material in India are some another benefits for opening a production unit.
Start Early
Aspirants ready to get a breakthrough in leather technology can do different short term certificate courses. Besides, there are some degree courses which are being given by some universities in different states of India. Based upon interest and orientation a student can either go for planning or may get into the technical side of leather technology. Planning and production process, both are equally graceful in terms of compensation packages.
Leather designing is graceful as it can turn a leather designer into a world-famous individuality. World over designers opened their career by planning leather accessories by using leather and later on enhance their own range of designer wear and accessories. Similarly, degree or diploma in leather manufacturing can help you employ with leather production firms and tanneries. After getting some experience the individual can start his own manufacturing unit.
Is it the Right Career ?
It may not have been the best career a few decades ago, but now the situation has altered a lot. Leather is does not consider as an untouchable product; rather, it has become a part of recent accessories in possession of almost all section of individuals. Career in Leather Technology, specifically designing is not only large paying but glamorous too. Yet, as any job is subject to interest and flair, leather technology is no exemption.
Before choosing for a career in leather technology, aspirant must think of different working conditions. For instance employing in smelly tanneries or leather processing units can be very difficult. Additionally, there is no any guarantee that a leather designer can changed to be a celebrity designer as it needs lot more than mere designing talent. Job in leather firms is quite challenging but profitable and given learning experience which later on can be used to start up your own production unit.
Pay Packet
Compensation packages in leather industry are highly based upon the talent. Most of the firms are in private sector, therefore, the firms pay according to their availability of human resource and comfort or the game of demand and supply. Whereas big multinational firms pay attractive salaries, small firms are frugal. Yet, situation is expected to alter down the years as multinationals are setting up their own bases in India. A young leather technologist can hope a beginning pay package between of Rs 10,000 per month.
What would it Cost?
There are several diploma courses and degree courses being offered by different institutes. The courses contain designing or production of leather garments, footwear or accessories and a lot of others. A 1-year diploma course may cost is between Rs 30,000-50,000. Similarly, BTech in Leather Technology could cost a student Rs 2-3 lakhs. The fee contains raw material price, course fee and caution money. Hostel expenses are additional bill.
Funding/Scholarship
As leather technology is a new discipline and is an employment specialized course, most of the banks given attractive education loans to students. Once a candidate has obtained admission offer from the college he can apply for an education loan and after finishing of the procedure, the bank transfers the needed money to the institute as per the need of various dues and fees. Different scholarships too are given to candidates on the basis of merit and marks in entrance exam.
Junior Research Fellowship can be got for further research. Some diploma courses are given to working professionals and sponsored candidates wherein the employer company pays the whole fees for the student.
Job opportunities
Job opportunities are quite attractive for those who have good designing skills mixing with mental ability and artistic finesse. Moreover, creativity with uniqueness increase the value to the skills of the leather designer, and he can reach out to consumer with such skills. Coming up with new concepts, ideas and designs are some key features required in a leather designer. The Indian leather industry is improving at fast pace and can contain any number of professionals.
India is the exporter of leather and leather products and a lot of export houses employ technical and non-technical individuals. Leather technologists with their concepts and dexterity to convert concepts in form can bag attractive jobs in leather firms. As new multinationals are coming back to India, the leather industry is ready to become a hi-tech industry and those who are eligible in leather technology would get priority over rest.
Jobs ranging from designing foot wears and accessories like belts, purses and caps to toy, bags, upholstery, musical instruments, garment tags, baggage, gift items, etc are umpteen in different export houses. Leather technologists can earn jobs in chemical and engineering industries involved in the producing of items like bags, footballs and cricket balls, upholstery, suitcases, gaskets, hydraulic seals, car and aircraft seats, etc.
Demand and Supply
A large export market for leather products shows that India’s leather industry will need too many leather technologists in next years. A lot is needed to train professionals working in leather industry as much of the human resource in leather factories does not need formal training. Therefore, a real scarcity of trained leather technologists provide edge to trained one who can cash in on the scope to their advantage. The mismatch of supply and demand is in pity of trained leather technologists and early starters must be in advantageous position.
Tips for Getting Hired
In order to get an occupation in a leather production unit as a leather technologist, the individual is required to possess the following talents:
- Enrich excellent numerical and computer skills.
- Should have skills to design our project and execute them.
- Sound communication skills and good people management skills are expected from the students.
- Self starters are preferred when it comes to planning leather accessories.
- Should have broad knowing to setting quality and environmental standards so that all production is under compliance law.
Top Companies
Arkay Leathers (P) Ltd – Producer, exporter, trader of finished leather and leather garments.
Butterfly Leathers – An export based suede manufacturer & exporter of goat heel grip, goat shoe suede, etc.
Iyagri Chamois – An export based company is known for producing Chamois Leather.
KAR Group – manufactures finished leather, uppers and finished shoes, etc.
Leather Crafts (India) P Ltd – An export based leather producing unit received the benefit of being a partner with a German company.
Leather Hunte Pvt Ltd – Producing quality leather products, the company is a leading exporter of leather accessories.
M Bilal Husain and Co – Trader and exporter of quality leather product for 3 decades.
Marson Leather House – Manufactures and exports finished leather, leather accessories, leather safety equipments, leather fashion garments, etc.
Prag International – Manufacturer and exporter of premium quality finished leather, leather briefcases, leather wallets, leather bags, belts, leather jackets, gloves, etc.
