Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to cut leather by hand.
The unit of competency applies to the cutting of leather by hand working largely independently and being accountable for own results, including carrying out assigned tasks, coordinating processes and setting and working to deadlines. It includes simple and complicated pattern pieces and a range of leather qualities.
Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Determine job requirements | 1.1 | Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
1.2 | Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times | ||
1.3 | Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs | ||
1.4 | Identify job requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions | ||
2 | Prepare to cut leather | 2.1 | Set up workstation according to specifications and workplace procedures |
2.2 | Select cutting equipment and patterns and prepare according to specified work and sizes, and manufacturer instructions | ||
2.3 | Collect, sort and lay out materials in preparation for cutting | ||
2.4 | Routinely clean and maintain cutting board | ||
2.5 | Identify problems or faults with patterns, knives and cutting boards and refer for repair | ||
2.6 | Assess the leather for scars, marks and faults that impact on cutting | ||
2.7 | Assess and sort leather to comply with requirements of different jobs and pattern pieces | ||
3 | Cut leather by hand | 3.1 | Use cutting knives and patterns to minimise waste |
3.2 | Identify scars, marks and fault areas of high-quality leather and position patterns accordingly | ||
3.3 | Position patterns to allow for identified flaws, nap of suede or other grain or print characteristics of leather | ||
3.4 | Use cutting techniques to match pattern shape, size and leather quality | ||
3.5 | Cut pieces precisely to size, and colour code, size and colour match | ||
4 | Check quality of finished product | 4.1 | Check finished products against job specifications and workplace quality standards |
4.2 | Address fault or irregularities | ||
4.3 | Maintain records of work | ||
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include:
reading and following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safe work practices
applying relevant standards
preparing equipment and materials before commencing operations
applying techniques at least five (5) times, including over the full range of cutting operations
identifying faults in equipment and different types of leather
positioning patterns to allow for identified flaws, nap of suede or other grain or print characteristics of leather
rectifying redeemable faults
adhering to the quality requirements of the enterprise
planning and coordinating complicated cutting operations
checking work against work specifications and enterprise standards
applying workplace procedures
maintaining accurate records.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
relevant Australian Standards
equipment required for both complicated and uncomplicated leather cutting operations
cutting board maintenance
leather types, their qualities and principles of cutting
leather cutting techniques
recognition of faults, scars and marks that impact on leather cutting
use of patterns
enterprise standards
quality standards and practices
workplace procedures
recording and reporting practices.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment, as set by the VET regulator
have vocational competency in cutting leather by hand, at least to the level being assessed, with relevant industry knowledge and experience.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Workplace procedures include one or more of the following: | requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment SOPs work instructions oral, written and visual communication quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output housekeeping tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling WHS practices |
Australian Standards include: | the relevant industry or Australian Standards that are current at the time this unit is being undertaken |
Leather includes one or more of the following: | buffalo cow calf kid kangaroo deer fish reptile emu |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Footwear production