Bespoke saddler
Level 3 · AdvancedCreative and design 2 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Bespoke Saddler apprenticeship trains you in the craft of making and repairing leather saddlery and harness goods by hand to individual client and horse specifications. Apprentices work with high-quality leather to produce saddles, bridles, harnesses and accessories. It leads to highly skilled craft saddler roles serving the equestrian industry.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Leather selection, properties and preparation
Pattern cutting and marking for saddlery items
Hand stitching using saddler's stitching techniques
Fitting a saddle to horse and rider
Tree and panel construction in saddle making
Repair and restoration of leather saddlery
Safe use of hand tools and saddlery machinery
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Measure and assess horses and riders for saddle fitting
Select and prepare leather for specific items
Cut, skive and prepare leather components
Stitch items by hand using a pricking iron and needles
Assemble and stuff saddle panels to the correct shape
Fit buckles, D-rings and metalwork to finished items
Repair and condition existing saddles and bridles
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
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What it’s really like
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