Leatherworking Apprenticeships
The Leathersellers’ Foundation is offering Leatherworking Apprenticeship Grants of up to £5,000 per annum for up to two years to support the training and development of aspiring leatherworkers through apprenticeships and structured training opportunities.
The programme aims not only to provide opportunities for individual apprentices, but also to contribute to a stronger and more sustainable leatherworking sector by ensuring that valuable skills, knowledge and craftsmanship are passed on to future generations.
Applications will close at 4pm on Tuesday 6th October 2026. Please read through the guidance below and on the form carefully before applying.
Prepare for your application
Who can apply?
Applications for a Leatherworking Apprenticeship Grant should be submitted by the business or organisation that will employ, supervise and train the apprentice.
Funding may support:
• New apprenticeship opportunities that would not otherwise be created.
• Existing apprenticeships where additional support will help secure high-quality training and development.
To be eligible:
• The applicant must be a UK-based business or organisation working with leather.
• The applicant must be able to provide structured training, supervision and development opportunities for the apprentice throughout the funding period.
• The apprentice must be aged 18 or over.
• The apprentice must be employed on a paid basis.
• The apprentice must be living and working permanently in the UK.
What do we fund?
We offer grants of up to £5,000 per annum for up to two years. Funding is intended to support structured learning and skills development opportunities that help preserve specialist knowledge, strengthen the sector’s workforce and promote excellence in leatherworking. Grants are flexible and may be used to support the costs of delivering the apprenticeship, including wages, supervision and management time, training costs, equipment and materials.
Where possible, supported apprenticeships should lead to a recognised apprenticeship standard or qualification relevant to the nation of the UK in which the training takes place. However, we recognise that some specialist leatherworking disciplines may not fit within existing apprenticeship frameworks. In these cases, applicants may propose alternative structured training programmes and explain how learning and competency will be assessed.
Applications will be assessed on:
• The quality of the proposed training programme.
• The expertise of those providing supervision and instruction.
• The educational outcomes expected for the apprentice.
• The wider benefit to the organisation and the UK leather sector.
Opportunities that help preserve specialist, traditional or hard-to-replace leatherworking skills are of particular interest.
How to apply
All applications must be submitted via our online form here.
To assist you in preparing your responses you are able to download a Word version (but only applications submitted online will be considered) and a Budget Template (to attach to your application).
Timeline
Applications close at 4pm on Tuesday 6th October 2026.
Applications will then be assessed by the Grants team and the Leather Trade Committee, with the Foundation’s Trustees making a final decision in early December.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome following completion of the assessment process.
The latest you can expect to hear from us with a final decision is 4th December 2026.
For successful applicants, funds would be paid upon confirmation of an apprentice having been recruited.
Terms of the Grant
Successful organisations will be required to report annually to the Leathersellers’ Foundation on the progress of the apprenticeship and the outcomes achieved.
Funded organisations and apprentices will be invited to participate in the Leathersellers’ Network, including opportunities to meet other Leathersellers’-supported apprentices and employers to share learning, experiences and good practice.
For grants awarded for more than one year, continuation of funding will be subject to receipt of a satisfactory progress report. The Trustees reserve the right to amend or discontinue funding if circumstances require.
Unsure of your eligibility or have any other questions? Please contact Natalia and the Grants team at charityapp@leathersellers.org.
