Leather Tanning Machine Operator

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Leather Tanning Machine Operator. A Leather Tanning Machine Operator receives hides from the beam house and performs tanning, re-tanning and dyeing procedures to achieve the desired qualities and characteristics of the leather as per customer specifications. A qualified learner will be able to: • Prepare chemical liquors for the various stages of the leather tanning, re-tanning and dyeing processes in the dye house. • Operate a drum to process hides in the leather tanning, re-tanning and dyeing process through the various stages of the process. • Monitor the operation of the drum and the various chemical stages of the leather tanning, re-tanning and dyeing process.

According to information available from the International Trade Centre (ITC), leather is one of the world's most widely traded commodities. The trade in leather and leather products is worth more than US$ 60 billion per year and is predicted to grow even further. Trade in hides and skins, and semi-processed tanned leather goods are a lucrative business. African countries have 15% of the world's cattle and 25% of its sheep and goats, but produce only 14.9% of global output of hides and skins, 8% of bovine hides and 14% of sheep and goat skins. Exports of hides and skins have fallen in recent years to below 4%, yet leather is ranked very high as an export commodity in several African countries. The countries' tanning capacity has fallen from 9.2% to 6.8%. At the same time, the livestock population has jumped about 25% over the last decade, faster than the world trend. The ITC, with financial support from the Netherlands, launched its Integrated Leather Sector Export Development Programme for support to the leather manufacturing industry and to boost exports whereby the entire continent stands to benefit. Successful development of the sector could help reduce poverty in rural areas. As a labour-intensive industry, it is an important source of employment. Employment will be dependant on well skilled operators in these rural areas. The production of hides/skins is dependant on Leather Tanning Machine Operators after going through the beam house operation process. Possible learners could be school leavers, adults not in employment, not in education or in training. A Blueprint for the African Leather Industry is a report commissioned by the UN Industrial Development Organization and jointly prepared by the ITC, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Common Fund for Commodities. It identifies Africa's potential and makes recommendations to players in the supply chain - governments, the private sector and international organizations. The report is the outcome of the "Meet in Africa 2002" meeting that brought together 25 African experts in Tunis. Information from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, on the leather manufacturing industry in South Africa shows that hides, skins and leather are by-products of farming stock and wild animals bred primarily for meat consumption and are mainly recovered from slaughterhouses and farms. Because the leather industry depends on the recovery of hides and skins of the farming stock and wild animals, availability of raw material directly depends on the size of the animal population, the take off ratio and the weight/size of the hide/skin recovered. The quality of South African hides has been positively influenced by the rise in the number of feedlots operating in the meat industry, with animals thus spending less time in the open veldt. These hides are rated to be superior to other sub-Saharan African and most Asian hides, but inferior to most hides from Australia, Argentina, the United States (US) and Europe. Their relatively small size renders them just marginally suited for upholstery and automotive leather. However, over 60% of South African hides are regarded as suitable for automotive leather. The Motor Industry Development Program (MIDP) was introduced to support the leather manufacturing industry. The key component of the MIDP with regards to automotive upholstery is that it contained an import-export complementation scheme. Export of stitched leather seat covers responded positively to this incentive and increased the demand for local hides and skins. The raw skins, hides and leather industry are also an important earner of foreign exchange through the export of raw leather and tanned leather. The industry exports mainly to Europe (Italy, Turkey and Germany) and to Asia (Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong and China).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • Level 1 with communication Or • Adult Education and Training (AET) 3 with 3 years of experience in the leather tanning, re-tanning or dyeing department.

• Produce a tanned, re-tanned or dyed hide/skin to company standards by operating a drum whilst complying with safety and company standards.
• Identify and handle a range of hide and skin according to type, substance and consistency to conform to quality standards.
• Mix chemicals for a range of liquors used in the re-tanning and dyeing process.
• Interpret and apply the indicators on the tanning, re-tanning and dyeing process sheet or recipe.
• Apply basic calculations to the tanning, re-tanning and dyeing procedures in the tan/dye/re-tan house.
• Comply with safety and health standards and requirements in the tanning, re-tanning and dyeing process.