1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Shoe repairer

Shoe repairer

Alternative titles for this job include

Shoe repairers fix footwear and other items like bags and belts.

Average salary (a year)

£22,000 Starter

to

£28,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 45 a week

You could work

weekends

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a shoe repairer

You can get into this job by applying directly.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for a job as a trainee with a shoe repair company.

You'll mostly learn on the job. Some employers have their own training centres where you may also spend some time.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a shoe repairer, you'll:

  • speak to customers about the repairs needed and give quotes
  • replace worn out soles and heels, and renew stitching
  • clean, polish, dye or stain shoes and boots
  • replace buckles, laces, zips or straps
  • maintain equipment, sharpen cutting tools and service machinery
  • sell footwear products and handle payments

Working environment

You could work at a store.

Your working environment may be noisy.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

Your employer may train you to do extra work like engraving, watch repair and key cutting, as some shoe repairers also offer these services.

With experience you may move into a supervisory or management role with a shoe repair company.

You might wish to become self-employed and open your own shoe repair business.

You could use your customer service skills in other areas of retail, or put your practical skills to use in different types of repair or craft work.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a shoe repairer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to HE Diploma in Shoemaking

  • Provider: CAPEL MANOR COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 September 2024
  • Location: Enfield

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.