Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

The Work

Shoe repairers use both hand tools and machinery to complete a variety of repair works on shoes and other leather goods such as handbags or belts.  
 
Shoe repairers' tools include knives, pincers, a hammer and a finishing machine that removes the worn parts of the shoe and smoothes the remaining material. New heels are put on with either an air-powered gun or a hand gun and a driver; they are then hammered into place. Soles are glued, and then stuck on by a sole press.  
 
Shoe repairers also use an outsole stitching machine to sew the soles of welted shoes to the bottom of the shoe. They use an insole stitcher to stitch the soles on through the insole. They use the finishing machine again to get rid of any rough edges. The work is completed on a polishing machine.  
 
Shoe repairers may sell accessories such as polish, dyes, shoe laces, handbags and belts. They may also offer key cutting and engraving services.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Cut out parts, following patterns or outlines, using knives, shears, scissors, or machine presses.
• Construct, decorate, or repair leather products according to specifications, using sewing machines, needles and thread, leather lacing, glue, clamps, hand tools, or rivets.
• Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, to join parts.
• Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
• Select materials and patterns, and trace patterns onto materials to be cut out.
• Dress and otherwise finish boots or shoes, as by trimming the edges of new soles and heels to the shoe shape.
• Estimate the costs of requested products or services such as custom footwear or footwear repair, and receive payment from customers.
• Attach insoles to shoe lasts, affix shoe uppers, and apply heels and outsoles.
• Cement, nail, or sew soles and heels to shoes.
• Shape shoe heels with a knife, and sand them on a buffing wheel for smoothness.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Entrants to this kind of work may be recruited through work-based training. Most employers will provide on-the-job training.  Some Cobblers also co-run locksmith & show repair business for precision turning and manufacture. 
 
Shoe repairers can go on to supervisory or managerial positions or decide to do more complex training in craft shoe repair, or create enterprise via self employment. 

Training & Development

Traineeship Precision Engineering & manufacturing operations NFQ level 5 Search Traineeships

FET Centre PLC Courses: Creative textile & Design, Textiles - Heritage, Craft, Revival & Renewal, Fashion and Textiles, Creative Textiles NFQ levels 5-6 search our FET PLC coursefinder

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €36k

Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Glasdoor/ Excel

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

• Design & Crafts Council of Ireland

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