Retain knowledge
Experienced operators, supervisors and technical staff hold practical knowledge that can disappear quickly when people retire or leave the sector.
Leather science • workplace capability • knowledge transfer
Building technical capability for the future
LASRA supports New Zealand's fellmongery and leather processing sector with practical, technically sound learning that helps people understand processes — not simply follow them.
Why training needs to change
New Zealand's challenge is not simply replacing people
Build technical depth
Automation can make production easier to operate while making process understanding even more important when something goes wrong.
Create progression
People need a realistic pathway from general operation through skilled process work and, where appropriate, into technical practitioner roles.
Progressive capability
One technical foundation. Increasing levels of competence.
People should not have to relearn the same material every time they progress. LASRA's developing model uses a common technical foundation, with assessment matched to what the learner is expected to do with that knowledge.
01General OperatorUnderstand purpose, recognise important conditions, know when something is wrong.
02Skilled / Process OperatorMonitor the process, interpret routine variation and respond appropriately.
03Technical PractitionerDiagnose problems, connect process stages and make technically justified decisions.
Current work
Fundamentals of Leather Manufacture
LASRA is reviewing and rebuilding its existing training material as a coherent technical handbook and workplace learning resource. The aim is to teach broadly, assess selectively and make the material useful long after the assessment is finished.