The Leather Academy • UK Professional Training
Training built for real-world results
The Leather Academy exists to raise standards in the independent leather repair industry through structured training, ongoing support and professional-grade products. We don’t teach theory in isolation – we teach a repeatable workflow that works on real customer furniture.
We’re not just a training company
What makes The Leather Academy different is simple: we don’t just teach leather restoration – we actually run our own successful leather repair business. That means the systems, products and standards taught on our courses are built from real commercial work, not classroom theory.
A pathway that builds job-ready confidence
Most people don’t need more information, they need a structure that converts learning into competence. Our courses are designed as a progression: start with foundations, then add live-job exposure and mentoring if needed.
- 1-Day Foundation: unit classroom / workshop based — best starting point
- 2-Day Pathway: foundations + mentored live-job exposure (dates confirmed on call)
- 3-Day Immersive: foundations + two full days live jobs for the fastest confidence jump (dates confirmed on call)
Meet Melissa
Melissa Edwards is the owner and lead trainer at The Leather Academy. She has built her reputation in the leather repair trade by delivering consistent, professional outcomes on real customer furniture – not “trial-and-error” repairs. Her background spans leather upholstery manufacturing, professional cleaning, repairs and advanced restoration, giving her the rare combination of material understanding and vast commercial job experience.
In 2010, Melissa founded a carpet, upholstery and leather cleaning business, developing the on-site processes, pricing structure and finishing standards required to deliver results in customers’ homes. She later sold that business and went all-in on leather restoration, building a dedicated leather repair service focused on colour correction, structural repairs and professional finishing. The Leather Academy was created to formalise that real-world knowledge into a clear training pathway so technicians can learn properly, avoid costly mistakes and gain the confidence needed to grow their business from day 1.
“I teach the processes that produce reliable results, because that’s what customers pay for. I want all our trainees to leave our training course with the skills to tackle their first jobs with confidence.”
Support after your course
Training should not end when the day finishes. As a Leather Academy trainee, you’ll get ongoing mentoring and support so you can implement what you’ve learned with confidence – plus access to our professional range of products as you begin taking on work.
Inside the workshop
A glimpse of hands-on training, real materials, and real-world practice.
Want to see which course suits you? Start with the 1-Day Foundation, then progress to mentored pathways that include live customer jobs.
Ready to start?
Tell us your experience level and goals and we’ll recommend the best route – foundation training or a mentored pathway with live-job exposure.
Contact
The Leather Academy
22 South Road, Porthcawl, CF36 3DG
0800 211 8059 •
info@leatheracademy.co.uk