As a leather technologist, one can be based in a factory, workshop or laboratory, or a combination of all three. The average work day of a leather technologist:

• 9am: Make calls to the concerned staffs about the inputs of the day, payment, technical details of any specific sample
• 10am: Apprise the senior personnel of details
• 11am: Visit the office and leather goods unit
• Noon: Check production work — examine every stage of production, every machine
• 1pm: Visit the main unit — tannery
• 2.15pm: Engage in techno-commercial matters, trouble-shooting in processes, development, liaison and interaction with different staffs in general and the lead technologist in particular
• 4pm: Meet buyers to show samples and get clearance for them
• 6pm: Time for social activities

• Technological bent of mind
• Knowledge of chemicals
• Good communication skills
• Managerial skills
• An interest and aptitude for science, particularly chemistry
• Good organisational and planning skills for projects and lab work
• Ability to work methodically and accurately
• Creativity for developing new ideas and solving problems
• Ability to analyse and interpret lab test results
• Some mechanical and engineering knowledge
• Good interpersonal skills
• A safety-conscious approach to work

• Growth-oriented export industry
• Huge demand for leather goods in India
• Can work on the product from beginning to end — from the raw material to the finished leather, unlike other engineering branches
• Pay is less than that of other engineering professionals. But if a person is ambitious and passionate, the scope of being an entrepreneur is immense
• Tanning and finishing units are usually located far from cities
• There is scope for blending art and technology

Take up science (preferably physics, chemistry and maths) in Class 11 and Class 12. Go for a BTech in leather technology from a recognised institution. Diploma courses in leather technology, too, are available. For better career prospects, you may go for a master’s degree.

• Anna University, Chennai
• West Bengal University of Technology, Kolkata
• Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur
• Government College of Engineering & Leather Technology, Kolkata
• Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai