Express & Star

Apprentices learn saddlery skills

A pair of apprentices are set to learn the historic skills involved in the Black Country’s famous leather trade, thanks to a training business.

Published
Saddlery apprentice Hannah Scoffham with James Hitchen of Ideal & WRS Co

The new training roles in saddlery are being hosted by The Saddlers' Company, a charitable trust that has moved into a property on The Bridge in Walsall which will open in September.

The apprenticeships are being delivered by Walsall-based PTP Training, which trades as Performance Through People and is an experienced provider of training at employers across the region.

PTP is part of the BCTG Group, a West Midlands-based training organisation which supports almost 10,000 young people and adults each year.

Hannah Scoffham, the first apprentice, has now started her training, sponsored by Walsall-based Ideal & WRS, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of horses’ leather saddles.

Rob Colbourne, managing director of PTP Training, said: “We are thrilled to be delivering two new apprenticeships in saddlery and are so pleased to have now welcomed our first apprentice on the programme.

“We will be managing the training centre on behalf of The Saddlers Company, so all apprentices involved will be on our contracts, in close liaison with their employers.”

Patrick Burns, the trade and training adviser at The Saddlers’ Company, said: “We’re delighted to see Hannah Scoffham signing up for the Level 2 Leather Craftsperson Apprenticeship with PTP Training and her employers, Ideal & WRS Ltd.

“Hannah will be the first saddlery apprentice to be trained in Walsall for many years and we look forward to her joining us at the new saddlery training workshops opening in Walsall town centre in September.”

James Hitchen, director at Ideal & WRS, said: “Walsall has been known as the leather industry capital of the world for more than 200 years, a history reflected in the name of the nearby Saddlers Shopping Centre and the Walsall Leather Museum.

“This new training facility will further enhance the heritage of saddlery in Walsall, and we’re proud to be taking on apprentices through this scheme.”

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.