Hide grader

Hide graders sort hides, skins, wet blue, and crust depending on the natural characteristics, category, weight and also magnitude, location, number and type of defects. They compare the batch to specifications, provide an attribution of grade and they are in charge of trimming.

The following job titles also refer to hide grader:

crust grader
wet-blue grader
skin grader
crust sorter
hide inspector
hide assorter
hide graders
raw hide grader

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a hide grader.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Hide grader is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to hide grader.

leather sorter
leather production machine operator
raw materials warehouse specialist
leather measuring operator
tanner

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of hide grader. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of hide grader with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

leather laboratory technician
colour sampling technician
footwear quality control laboratory technician
leather goods production supervisor
passport officer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of hide grader.

• Physico-chemical properties of hides and skins: The quality of hides and skins is defined by organoleptic, microbiological, histological and chemical characteristics (i.e. moisture, structure of the dermis, percentage of fat and collagen). Each type of hide/skin has specific physical and chemical properties that affect the type of tanning operations and the most suitable end use of the leather.
• Physico-chemical properties of crust leather: The properties, physical and chemical, of intermediate leather products that have already undergone tanning operations. These properties vary depending on the animal of origin and previous manufacturing processes.

These skills are necessary for the role of hide grader.

• Think analytically: Produce thoughts using logic and reasoning in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Adapt to changing situations: Change approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people’s needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.
• Use communication techniques: Apply techniques of communication which allow interlocutors to better understand each other and communicate accurately in the transmission of messages.
• Identify defects on raw hides: Analyse, identify and evaluate the possible defects present on raw hides/skins. Defects may be of natural origin (e.g. damage by parasites), caused by bad practices at the farm, in transport, at the abattoir (e.g. incorrect flaying, pre-slaughter defects, improper conservation) or generated during the manufacturing process. The classification of Hides/skins and their subdivision into “selections” is based on the nature, magnitude and location of defects. The class of selection determines the type of processing, and consequently the type of article.
• Work in textile manufacturing teams: Work harmoniously with colleagues in teams in the textile and clothing manufacturing industries.
• Execute working instructions: Understand, interpret and properly apply work instructions regarding different tasks in the workplace.
• Identify with the company’s goals: Act for the benefit of the company and for the achievement of its targets.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of hide grader. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Health and safety in the workplace: The body of rules, procdeures and regulations related to safety, health and welfare of people in their workplace.
• Leather physical testing: Set of tests that describe physical features of leather. They include the analysis of the performance characteristics of leather, such as resistance to bending, to friction, to tearing, etc.
• Leather finishing technologies: Equipment, technologies and techniques for coating and laminating finishing of leather according to product specification. Topics include surface preparation, equipment types, preparation of substrata, operation monitoring and applications related to different types of finishing, coatings and final articles.
• Leather chemistry: Chemical composition and chemical properties of hide/skin and chemicals used and their modification during the different tanning processes. Reactions between hide/skin or semi-finished leather and chemical products during the different phases of process and the factors affecting the performance of the reactions and of the process. Monitoring of the chemical indicators of processing and the characteristics of skins/hides/leather.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of hide grader. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Manage supplies: Monitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and also work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities and synchronise supply with demand of production and customer.
• Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
• Purchase raw material supplies: Manage logistics of purchasing supplies of the raw materials for the tannery to ensure efficient operations of the tannery and meet clients’ requirements
• Manage quality of leather throughout the production process: Manage systems for the customer-focused organisation of leather production processes. It uses strategy, data, and effective communications to integrate the quality approach into the culture and activities of the company and also to achieve the organisation’s mission and goals.
• Manage environmental impact of operations: Manage the interaction with and impact on the environment by companies. Identify and assess environmental impacts of the production process and related services, and regulate a reduction of the effects on the environment and on people. Organise action plans and monitor any indicators of improvement.

7531 – Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and hatters

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References

1. Hide grader – ESCO