# Tasks & work activities — tanning technician

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 51-6041.00 (Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers) — manual nearest-occupation mapping via ISCO group 3119; the official ESCO crosswalk has no entry for this ESCO occupation.

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Cut out parts, following patterns or outlines, using knives, shears, scissors, or machine presses.
- **[Core]** Construct, decorate, or repair leather products according to specifications, using sewing machines, needles and thread, leather lacing, glue, clamps, hand tools, or rivets.
- **[Core]** Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, to join parts.
- **[Core]** Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
- **[Supplemental]** Select materials and patterns, and trace patterns onto materials to be cut out.
- **[Supplemental]** Dress and otherwise finish boots or shoes, as by trimming the edges of new soles and heels to the shoe shape.
- **[Supplemental]** Estimate the costs of requested products or services such as custom footwear or footwear repair, and receive payment from customers.
- **[Supplemental]** Attach insoles to shoe lasts, affix shoe uppers, and apply heels and outsoles.
- **[Supplemental]** Cement, nail, or sew soles and heels to shoes.
- **[Supplemental]** Shape shoe heels with a knife, and sand them on a buffing wheel for smoothness.
- **[Supplemental]** Repair or replace soles, heels, and other parts of footwear, using sewing, buffing and other shoe repair machines, materials, and equipment.
- **[Supplemental]** Make, modify, and repair orthopedic or therapeutic footwear according to doctors' prescriptions, or modify existing footwear for people with foot problems and special needs.
- **[Core]** Repair and recondition leather products such as trunks, luggage, shoes, saddles, belts, purses, and baseball gloves.
- **[Supplemental]** Place shoes on lasts to remove soles and heels, using knives or pliers.
- **[Supplemental]** Clean and polish shoes.
- **[Supplemental]** Check the texture, color, and strength of leather to ensure that it is adequate for a particular purpose.
- **[Supplemental]** Read prescriptions or specifications, and take measurements to establish the type of product to be made, using calipers, tape measures, or rules.
- **[Core]** Inspect articles for defects, and remove damaged or worn parts, using hand tools.
- **[Core]** Drill or punch holes and insert or attach metal rings, handles, and fastening hardware, such as buckles.
- **[Supplemental]** Attach accessories or ornamentation to decorate or protect products.
- **[Supplemental]** Cut, insert, position, and secure paddings, cushioning, or linings, using stitches or glue.
- **[Supplemental]** Draw patterns, using measurements, designs, plaster casts, or customer specifications, and position or outline patterns on work pieces.
- **[Supplemental]** Stretch shoes, dampening parts and inserting and twisting parts, using an adjustable stretcher.
- **[Supplemental]** Nail heel and toe cleats onto shoes.
- **[Supplemental]** Prepare inserts, heel pads, and lifts from casts of customers' feet.
- **[Supplemental]** Re-sew seams, and replace handles and linings of suitcases or handbags.

## Detailed work activities

- Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.
- Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
- Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.
- Assemble garments or textile products.
- Attach decorative or functional accessories to products.
- Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices.
- Cut fabrics.
- Design templates or patterns.
- Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
- Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
- Estimate costs of products, services, or materials.
- Evaluate quality of materials or products.
- Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains.
- Measure clients to ensure proper product fit.
- Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
- Operate sewing equipment.
- Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products.
- Position patterns on equipment, materials, or workpieces.
- Prepare fabrics or materials for processing or production.
- Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
- Repair textiles or apparel.
- Select production input materials.
- Sew clothing or other articles.
- Trim excess material from workpieces.