Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to sew leather pieces by machine.
Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities. Work is performed within industry codes, standards and defined procedures, under direct supervision.
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 work pieces | 2.1 | Receive and check work bundle and assess any follow-up action |
2.2 | Assess quality of received component parts | ||
2.3 | Lay out work pieces in the correct sequence in accordance with specifications | ||
3 | Prepare workstation | 3.1 | Set up workbench and seating to achieve operator comfort and to minimise fatigue |
3.2 | Clean and check machines in accordance with SOPs | ||
3.3 | Keep records in accordance with procedures | ||
4 | Set up machine | 4.1 | Set up and adjust machine in accordance with manufacturer instructions, workplace requirements and specifications for the work |
4.2 | Select threads according to specifications | ||
4.3 | Check needle types, attachments and parts, and change worn needles and parts, as necessary | ||
4.4 | Set and test stitch length against specifications | ||
4.5 | Set tension according to specifications | ||
4.6 | Test machine for correct operations | ||
5 | Perform machine sewing | 5.1 | Select pieces according to size, colour and style |
5.2 | Position materials to achieve required specifications, including quality and to minimise stretch | ||
5.3 | Machine seams to achieve specified results | ||
5.4 | Trim threads, as required | ||
5.5 | Check the performance of the machine regularly for signs of faulty operations and take appropriate action | ||
6 | Conduct final quality check for operations | 6.1 | Check final product to ensure workplace quality requirements are met |
6.2 | Deal with production faults in accordance with procedures | ||
7 | Despatch completed work | 7.1 | Bundle, stack, store or despatch component parts |
7.2 | Record production faults, as required | ||
7.3 | Complete records | ||
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, industry codes and standards
applying relevant standards
handling and receiving pieces
checking work against ticket information and workplace standards
preparing workstation and work prior to commencing operations
operating at least one (1) type of machine where positioning of the work may be controlled by machine guides or work markers
selecting pieces according to size, colour and style and positioning materials to achieve required specifications, quality and to minimise stretch
machining seams on at least ten (10) leather items to achieve specified results
recording faults and 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
assembly processes and machines requiring the positioning, feeding and handling of work pieces
machine operating procedures for plain and computerised stitching machines
characteristics of typical fabrics, threads, and other materials used
quality standards and handling procedures
work health and safety (WHS) and environmental aspects of relevant assembly processes
relevant federal and state or territory legislative or regulatory requirements
recording and reporting procedures.
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 sewing leather by machine, 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, industry codes and standards, 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 |
Machines include one or more of the following: | a range of plain machines computerised stitching machines |
Materials include one or more of the following: | leathers: buffalo cow calf kid deer kangaroo fish reptiles emu pigskin suede |
WHS practices | WHS practices must include hazard identification and control, risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction measures specific to the tasks described by this unit, and include one or more of the following: manual handling techniques PPE safe materials handling ergonomic arrangement of workplaces following marked walkways safe storage of equipment housekeeping reporting accidents and incidents other WHS practices relevant to the job and enterprise |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Leather production