Field           Manufacturing

 

Review of Fellmongery and Leather Processing unit standards

 

Subfield

Domain

ID

Fellmongery and Leather Processing

 

 

Fellmongery Processing Knowledge

18570, 18571

Leather Processing Knowledge

8380, 8383-8385, 28577, 32043, 32049

Leather Processing Skills

8013-8015, 8017, 21830, 27904

 

The Manufacturing and Engineering Industry Skills Board completed the review of the unit standards listed above. Responsibility for these unit standards was transferred to Manufacturing and Energy Industry Skills Board to reflect VET reforms.

 

Date new versions published                                                                                                         April 2026

 

Planned review date                                                                                               December 2030

 

Summary

 

Hanga Aro Rau Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics Workforce Development Council, in collaboration with industry stakeholders and Leather and Shoe Research Association (LASRA) has completed the scheduled mandatory review of the listed unit standards. This review was conducted between June and November 2025, with stakeholders contributing via weekly on-line meetings, emails, and phone conversations. 

 

The 15 unit standards were reviewed so that they could be used by providers. The Technical Advisory Group has confirmed that 14 of the 15 unit standards remain fit for purpose.

Most of the unit standards had low to no use, however the Technical Advisory Group felt that unit standards should remain for another cycle, as providers may use them after the VET reform. Responsibility for these unit standards was transferred from Hanga-Aro-Rau WDC to the Manufacturing and Engineering Industry Skills Board to reflect this reform.

 

The Manufacturing and Engineering Industry Skills Board has finalised these unit standards for approval.

 

Main changes

 

·     Purpose statements were updated to reflect current needs and for consistency across the unit standards.

·     Guidance information was updated to match current industry requirements.

·     Outcome and performance criteria were updated on most unit standards to reflect current practices and for clarity.

·     Credit value for 8380 was increased from 10 to 11 to reflect the actual time taken to gain the knowledge and skills and for assessment.

·     Unit standard 18571 is no longer required and will be expired.

·     Unit standard 21830 credit value was reduced from 5 to 3 to match reduced performance criteria.

·     Unit standards 8013 and 8013 titles were changed.

 

Category D unit standard 18571 will expire at the end of December 2027

 

The last date for assessment of superseded versions of Category B unit standards is December 2027

 

Impact on Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR)

 

The unit standards were moved from CMR 0033 to 0014.

 

Detailed list of unit standards – classification, title, level, and credits

 

All changes are in bold.

 

Key to review category

A

Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number

B

Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number

C

Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement standard with a new ID

D

Standard will expire and not be replaced

 

Manufacturing > Fellmongery and Leather Processing > Fellmongery Processing Knowledge

ID

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

18570

Demonstrate knowledge of operation and equipment used during the skin painting process for the manufacture of leather

4

5

B

18571

Describe grading systems for slipe wool and preserved skins, the production processes, and usage of slipe wool

4

5

D

 

Manufacturing > Fellmongery and Leather Processing > Leather Processing Knowledge

ID

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

8380

Demonstrate knowledge of chemistry used in leather manufacture

4

10

11

B

8383

Identify and describe species, equipment, preserving method and classification of hides or skins for leather manufacture

4

5

B

8384

Describe the physical structure and chemical composition of hides or skins used in leather manufacture

4

5

B

8385

Identify and describe hide or skin faults and the elimination or reduction of faults in leather manufacture

4

5

B

28577

Demonstrate knowledge of product quality assurance requirements for leather manufacturing

4

10

B

32043

Demonstrate knowledge of process stages, machinery and chemicals used in pretanning leather

Demonstrate knowledge of process stages, machinery and chemicals used in pre-tanning and tanning leather

4

5

B

32049

Describe the stages, machinery and chemicals used from tanning to finishing in leather manufacture

4

10

B

 

Manufacturing > Fellmongery and Leather Processing > Leather Processing Skills

ID

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

8013

Prepare hides for processing

Prepare hides or skins for processing

3

5

B

8014

Process head pieces and hide trimmings

3

3

B

8015

Complete wet salting of hide process

Complete wet salting of hides or skins process

3

5

B

8017

Set up, operate and maintain complex tannery machinery

4

10

B

21830

Grade wet salted processed hides

3

5

3

B

27904

Prepare, operate and maintain basic tannery machinery

3

5

B