Matthew left school and, a week later,  was working in a tannery. He applied for the post after seeing an advert in his local paper but, as his mother, father, grandfather, an aunt and an uncle had all worked at the factory, he already knew what he was getting in to. Although this is his first job since leaving school, he sees it as a career for life.

His role at Pittards is as a leather operative. He is currently working in the finishing department carrying out top-finishing processes but has worked in various other parts of the factory. He describes the work as physical and quite repetitive but stimulating as, due to the variability of the raw material, there are many factors that need to be monitored. For Matthew, there is great satisfaction in getting things right and producing a good finished product.

His plan is to stay with the company and progress. He has been told that the company wish to develop him as an employee ; the opportunity is there, he just has to take it. He has been selected for training as a supervisor, challenge that he is looking forward to. Unsurprisingly, he would recommend the industry to people and says that, for those that are committed and determined, there is scope for progression.

Matthew is proud of his of job and believes that people would be impressed with what is done in a tannery and the work that goes into making leather.