---
type: News Article
title: "Walsall Leather Skills Centre Increases Offering"
description: "Beginner to advanced saddlery and leathercraft courses at the Walsall Leather Skills Centre, set up by the Saddlers' Company Charitable Fund in 2020."
resource: "https://thesaddlers.org/news/trade/walsall-leather-skills-centre-increases-offering"
tags: [saddlers-news, saddlers-company, news, trade, walsall-leather-skills-centre-increases-offering]
published: "March 2026"
generated: { by: process:saddlers-site-build, at: 2026-10-20T15:16:16Z }
status: stable
sources:
  - id: page
    resource: "https://thesaddlers.org/news/trade/walsall-leather-skills-centre-increases-offering"
    title: "Walsall Leather Skills Centre Courses | Saddlers' Company"
    author: "team:the-saddlers-company"
---
# Walsall Leather Skills Centre Increases Offering

Published March 2026.

The Walsall Leather Skills Centre, set up by The Saddlers' Company Charitable Fund in 2020 to address a shortfall in saddlery and leather skills, now delivers courses from complete beginner to advanced practitioner level, backed by the Charity and the Horlock Education Trust.[^page]

## From Beginner to Qualified Saddler

The Saddlers' Company Charitable Fund established the Walsall Leather Skills Centre in 2020 to address a shortfall in the skills needed to sustain the saddlery and leather craft and industry in the UK. Today the training is delivered by a Community Interest Company, still backed by the Charity and the Horlock Education Trust. The thriving Centre supports the delivery of the Leather Craftsperson (Level 2) and Bespoke Saddler (Level 3) Trailblazer Apprenticeships, and for those wanting to become a Qualified Saddler, it supports the City & Guilds Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma in Saddlery covering bridle, saddle and harness work.

There is also plenty on offer for those who want to develop their craft leatherworking skills, whether for pleasure or as a business producing niche and luxury leather goods. Many courses are part time or run at weekends, giving flexibility around how people learn, and bursaries and support with tools and equipment are available to those who qualify.

## Find Out More

Further details on courses and how to apply are available at walsall-leather.org.

## Frequently asked questions

### When was the Walsall Leather Skills Centre set up?

The Saddlers' Company Charitable Fund set it up in 2020, and it is now run by a Community Interest Company backed by the Charity and the Horlock Education Trust.

### What qualifications does the Centre support?

It supports the Leather Craftsperson (Level 2) and Bespoke Saddler (Level 3) Trailblazer Apprenticeships, plus the City & Guilds Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma in Saddlery.

## Related concepts

- [Saddlery Trade News](/pages/news/trade.md)
- [SEG Level 1: Introduction to Leather](/pages/news/trade/seg-level1-introduction-to-leather.md)
- [Saddlers Ride Again from Walsall to London](/pages/news/charity/saddlers-ride-again-from-walsall-to-london.md)
- [Capel Manor College Leather Showcase and Awards Hears from Mary Lewis of the Heritage Crafts Association](/pages/news/trade/capel-manor-college-leather-showcase-and-awards-hear-from-mary-lewis-of-the-heritage-crafts-association.md)

[^page]: Walsall Leather Skills Centre Courses | Saddlers' Company, https://thesaddlers.org/news/trade/walsall-leather-skills-centre-increases-offering