The international fur trade is a responsible and growing industry which remains buoyant despite the slow global economic growth. More than one million people are employed by the fur trade and the trade provides skilled and semi skilled employment in a wide variety of areas; including farming and animal food production, veterinary research, animal food production, sorting and warehouse management, buying and selling, tanning and dyeing, cutting, hand-sewing and designing garments and homeware, marketing and retailing.
Courses and training in various aspects of the fur sector are on offer throughout the world. Please see our sample of courses on offer and contact the course provider directly for further information. Please continue to check this page for updated information.
UK
Work placement at Hockley, London
Contact - info@hockleylondon.com
How to apply – email CV
Who can apply – fashion students (2nd or 3rd year of Degree or Masters)
How are candidates selected – appropriate students are selected by interview
How long are work placements – usually 2 weeks
Description of what students get to be involved with – a wide range of tasks including pattern cutting. Students get to help out in the Studio and can also get assistance and advice with their own projects.
Is there a waiting list - Yes
How many places – if at a very busy time then 2 or 3 students at a time.
GERMANY
Association Name: Deutsches Pelz Institut
Association contact details:
Niddastr. 66-68
60329 Frankfurt
Germany
Tel: 069-242635-40 , Fax: 069-242635-21
Name of the course: Furrier education
Name of the school: Staatliche Berufsschule, Fuerth
School contact details:
Staatliche Berufsschule
Fichtenstr. 9, 90763 Fürth, Germany
Tel: +49 911/74346
Website: http://www.kuerschnerinnung.de/
Entry requirements: Competed secondary education
Fees: €465 for the first, €556 for the second and €659 for the third year of training. The school has scholarship opportunities for local and foreign students.
Duration: Three years
Certificates/diplomas obtained: Vocational training certificate
NORWAY/RUSSIA
Name of the course: Training in modern techniques of fur tailoring and simulation.
School name: European school for fur design and furrier skills
School contact details:
Ms Kira Jensen
Tel: +7812 493 2021, +7921 633 6387, +4798485823
Website: www.hasseltd.lpb.ru, www.Jendesignschool.blogspot.com
Entry requirements: Competed secondary education
Fees: TBC
Duration: depending on the kind of the course attended
Certificates/diplomas obtained: There are full/part time courses available, as well as online training.
ESTONIA
Association Name: Estonian Fur Association
Association contact details:
Kilbi 6
11711 Tallinn
Estonia
Tel: +372 661 9702, Fax: + 372 661 9701
Email: info@furs.ee
Name of the course: Fur farming
Name of the school: Järva County Vocational Training Centre (Estonian Ministry of Education and Research)
School contact details:
Järva Kutsehariduskeskus
Tallinna 46
Paide 72720
Estonia
Entry requirements: Competed secondary education
Fees: TBC
Duration of the course: One year
Certificates/diplomas obtained: Officially accredited fur farming diploma
Name of the course: Optional fur farming course for students of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences
School name: Estonian University of Life Science, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences
School contact details:
Kreutzwaldi 62
Tartu 51014
Tel/fax: +372 7313 706, E-mail: vl@emu.ee, website: http://vl.emu.ee/en/
Entry requirements: Competed secondary education
Fees: TBC
Name of the course: Fur farming workshops and short training
School name: Estonian Fur Breeders Association
School contact details:
Kreutzwaldi 1,
Tartu 51014
Estonia
Tel: +372 56 120 717; Website: http://www.efba.ee
School name: Estonian Chinchilla Association
School contact details:
Eesti Chinchilla Liit Pressi küla
Haanja vald, Võrumaa 65101
Estonia
Tel: + 371 6715944; Email: toivo@ecoline.ee; Website: http://www.chinchilla.ee
For apprenticeships information and opportunities please contact:
Lindante Ltd Fur Company
Tallinna Kaubamaja naistemaailm
Gonsiori 2
10143 Tallinn, Estonia
Tel/fax: +372 661 97 00; Email: info@lindante.ee; Website: http://www.lindante.ee/
FINLAND
Association Name: Saga Furs Oyj
Association contact details:
Martinkylantie 48
01720 Vantaa,
Finland
Tel: +358 9849 81; email: anni.lensu@sagafurs.com; Website: www.sagafurs.com
Saga Furs auction house offers a number of training programmes for fur farmers and designers.
For more information about fur farming training programmes contact Saga Furs and Saga Furs Design Centre directly at info@sagafurs.com.
Name of the course: International Grading Course. Gives in-depth knowledge of all phases required in the grading of Saga Furs® Fox, Mink and Finnraccoon.
Name of the course: Future Fur Designer. Centria University of Applied Sciences offers a new, unique programme covering the entire process from learning how to handle fur and understanding the raw material to designing and making products in fur and leather. Our aim is to let you explore the versatoloty, usability and applicability of fur. Programme is in English.
Name of the course: Centria University of Applied Sciences offers intensive modules covering the entire process from learning how to handle fur and understanding the raw material to designing and making products in fur and leather. Our aim is to let you explore the versatility, usability and applicability of fur. Modules are in English.
School name: Centria University of Applied Sciences, Center for Fur Design
School contact details:
Runeberginkatu 8, 68600 Pietarsaari, Finland
Tel. +358 50 3368746 Email: pia.blomstrom@centria.fi
Website: www.centria.fi/futurefurstudio
Entry requirements: Competed secondary education
Fees: Modules from 600 €.
Duration: Separate modules (from one to two weeks).
Name of the course: Master Class Supreme - Workshop (for invited designers)
School name: Centria University of Applied Sciences, Center for Fur Design
School contact details:
Runeberginkatu 8, 68600 Pietarsaari, Finland
Tel. +358 50 3368746 Email: pia.blomstrom@centria.fi
Website: www.centria.fi/futurefurstudio
Entry requirements: Already some knowledge of the material and techniques may be required. Please get in touch with the school directly to obtain further details.
Duration: 12 - 14 June 2013.
The Master : Professor Basil Kardasis (Royal College of Art, London)
The price: 650 €/person.
A master class is to follow a Master who has acquired over a long period of time, vast knowledge and experience within a specific, specialist area. The Master has arrived at this through a practice of endless observation. Testing, experimenting, investigating and interrogating his chosen subject. His aim is to offer secure knowledge which will enable the pupil to feel safe, and so create an expression of his own, within the chosen area.
In any subject, the method of recognizing one’s own skill comes from the security of hearing and seeing a Master perform. One’s own talent, which is innate, will through the participation with, and following of the Master, be awakened into realization. The Master's pleasure is to see this process of realization reveal itself.
The pupil, an apprentice to the Master, will learn through observation. When the student is ready, he will begin to apply his findings, using new intellectual, physical and practical tools and fabric.]
THE CLASS:
Fur is the most natural of "fabrics" man has used from nature, since the life began.
It is proven to be a success. It is versatile, natural, ecological, resilient, varied and beautiful. The animal has it as his coat. We then, the human creators, will be respectful and will honor this precious "material".
In this new Master Class we will provide all the variations of this exquisite "textile" and inform you of its origin and history. Examples of the skins and their variety will be available so that you may be acquainted with its rich beauty. It is important that we have knowledge of its background and life, in order to use it correctly and with respect.
The processes of preparation and treatment, by which the end product has been developed, will be revealed. We will provide an archive collection of the treatments of fur, which have changed an added to its look, profile and style. These technical dressing treatments are the work of other Masters who add to the excitement of the "fabric"
A large collection of products and garments which have been realized, made and produced by participants, students and pupils such as designers, design students, manufacturers, tailors, artists, ceramicists, interior decorators, architects, textile designers, footwear and jewelry designers....and a myriad more. All will be offered to inform you and to inspire you.
You will see how so many exciting and ingenious techniques have evolved from the simple beginning.
In our collection, we hold everything from the most fundamental of technical samples, to the newest, most awe inspiring examples. They have evolved and are highly developed in the process of creativity.
All this, has been the result of the intensive participation and research in our Master workshops and classes throughout all the years of our practice.
Once you have been introduced to the theory of the subject FUR, you will be familiarized with the technical aspects for achieving your creative results. Machinery and tools, so special and specific for this material, will be at your disposal to learn to use and operate. Master supervision will always be available.
We will provide other materials for you to choose and use in your explorations for new techniques: the finest leathers and textiles from all around our world.
It will be impossible to stop you from falling in love with this 'fabric'. Once you have begun, you will master its magical call and we will see a production of illuminating exciting techniques... All created by you.
We endeavor to release you into a new world, full of self-satisfaction and achievements.
You will change not only your life, but the life of all whom you will touch.
Fur is a material of nature and cannot be imitated. We respect and protect its value.
Name of the course: DISCOVERING FUR
School name: Centria University of Applied Sciences, Center for Fur Design
School contact details:
Runeberginkatu 8, 68600 Pietarsaari, Finland
Tel. +358 50 3368746 Email: pia.blomstrom@centria.fi
Website: www.centria.fi/futurefurstudio
Duration: 3 - 12 September
Tutors: Professor Basil Kardasis & Lis-Mari Jansson
Price: €850
About the course:
Study activities.
* Visit to a Fur Farm.
* Visit to a Leather Company
* Visit to a Dressing Company.
* Fur history. Its origin and habitats.
* Fur as a material. Its uses as a natural product.
* Dressing and treatments. The versatility of Fur is endless.
* Basics of how to work with Fur - Hands on. How to put fur into your idea.
* To play and use fur in a respectful and exciting way. To have 'FUN with FUR'
DENMARK
Association name: Kopenhagen Fur
Association contact details:
Langagervej 60
DK-2600 Glostrup
Tel: +45 4326 1000; Email: info@kopenhagenfur.com; Website: www.kopenhagenfur.com
Kopenhagen Fur auction house offers a number of training programmes Please contact KF directly for further information.
HUNGARY
Association name: Academy of Hungarian Fur Trade Association
Association contact details:
Tel: +36 1 883 0480; Fax: +36 1 883 0301; Email: secretary@hfta.hu; Website: www.hfta.hu
The Academy of Hungarian Fur Trade Association are offering a 120 hour Fur Designer Training Course.
The students, after passing the theoretical and practical exams, will get a diploma which qualifies them to participate in Kreacio 2013 design competition, without paying the application fee and can show their knowledge on REMIX in Milan.
We are waiting for the participation of interested persons, stylists, artists, leather goods makers, textile designers, etc.!
For more information, please contact us.
