This unit applies to the preparation, cutting and sewing of custom shoe components including stuff cutting, making or modification of lasts, making of soles, sole and heel units, and insoles. Discretion and judgement may be required, for both self and others, in planning and selecting processes, procedures or outcomes. The unit applies to workplace activities associated with producing custom-made shoes and the degree of complexity will relate to leather and other materials being used and intricacy of design.

Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities.

The application of this unit is according to OHS practices of the enterprise and workplace practices, which may include:

requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment

standard operating procedures

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

This unit requires the application of skills associated with planning and organising for safe and effective use of custom footwear construction technology and operations. This unit also requires an ability to check the quality of outcomes and identify and address problems relating to own work. Initiative and enterprise and problem solving will be used to combine a range of materials and processes to achieve desired design outcomes.

Prerequisites

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Confirm custom made footwear requirements

1.1 Client requirements and design specifications are reviewed and confirmed

1.2 Materials required for production are determined, availability is confirmed and special or 'one-off' materials ordered from appropriate suppliers

1.3 Pattern is reviewed to ensure compliance with design requirements

1.4 Design features are clarified with pattern maker, if required and technical aspects of production are identified

2 Prepare shoe last

2.1 Measurements are reviewed to confirm that all required information has been provided

2.2 Appropriate techniques needed to produce or modify the shoe last are selected according to design

2.3 An appropriate existing or commercial last is selected which closely matches the required foot shape and size

2.4 An original last is constructed from selected materials to produce a last with the desired shape and dimensions

2.5 Inside buildups (additions) are made, formed to the last and shaped to comply with design specifications

2.6 Buildup components are trial fitted to review fit and function, modified if required and attached

2.7 The last and any buildup components are checked, and adjustments and refinements made if necessary in line with design requirements and established production standards

2.8 Shoe last is checked to for construction faults and compliance with design specifications

3 Prepare and make components

3.1 Workstation, tools and equipment are set up according to OHS practices

3.2 Component materials are obtained and laid up correctly for single or multiple cutting

3.3 Pieces are cut according to pattern specifications

3.4 Cut pieces are correctly sized, marked, counted and stamped according to work ticket and to workplace specifications

3.5 Components are prepared using appropriate method and equipment and according to workplace requirements

4 Cut or click leather

4.1 Workstation tools and equipment are set up and prepared

4.2 Leather is correctly assessed, sized, marked and laid up for cutting

4.3 Clicking knives are used to gain optimal material utilisation

4.4 Parts are cut manually or by machine to enterprise quality standards in relation to material flaws and individual pairs selected

4.5 Pairs are clicked and cut manually or by machine to achieve best yield according to appropriate allowance

4.6 Work is checked against pattern and design requirements

5 Prepare and make the upper

5.1 Upper components are checked and laid out correctly

5.2 Machine is set up and adjusted and threads and needles selected

5.3 Stitch length is set and tested, tension is set and machine is tested against specifications

5.4 Upper is processed manually or by machine in accordance

5.5 Seams are machined and threads trimmed to achieve specifies results

5.6 Upper is checked against pattern and design requirements

6 Conduct final quality check for operations

6.1 Final product is checked to ensure workplace quality requirements are met

6.2 Production faults are dealt with in accordance with workplace procedures

6.3 Uppers and component parts are bundled, stacked, stored or despatched in accordance with workplace procedures

6.4 Process and faults are documented

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Demonstrates knowledge of:

anatomy of foot and ankle

characteristics of last

last-making methods and material

shoe construction methods

characteristics of typical leathers, fabrics and other materials used in shoe production

operating procedures for cutting and machining leather

quality standards and leather handling procedures

material flaws of leather including veins, growth marks, tick and scars

safety and environmental aspects of relevant workplace activities

workplace procedures

processes for reporting

OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures

practices for recording and reporting

Demonstrates skills to:

make lasts from existing casts

shape and modify lasts to meet specifications

operate of various shoe production machines and processes

apply all the relevant safety practices when working in the leather goods production industry

communicate effectively with clients, individuals, work groups and supervisors

select, interpret and apply procedures and processes

prepare and present reports and information in appropriate formats

read, interpret and follow information on work specifications, , standard operating procedures and work instructions and other reference material

maintain accurate records

communicate within the workplace

sequence operations

meet specifications

clarify and check task-related information

carry out work according to OHS practices

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered

Demonstrates skills and knowledge to:

clarify design requirements

cut leather and other materials

make a last

select, adjust or modify shoe last

prepare and sew the upper

prepare and make components

check own work

apply quality standards

apply workplace health and safety policies in work operations

maintain accurate records

Consistency in performance

Consistently applies skills and knowledge when:

organising work

completing tasks

identifying improvements

using workplace practices

using OHS practices

recording and reporting accidents and incidents

assessing operational readiness of equipment used and work processes

recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions

completing work systematically with attention to detail without damage to goods and equipment

Resource implications

Access is required to real or appropriately simulated situations, including work areas, materials and equipment, and to information on workplace practices and OHS practices.

Context for assessment

Assessment may occur on the job or in an appropriately simulated environment.

Interdependent Assessment

This unit may be assessed independently or in combination with other relevant units.

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Legislative/regulatory requirements

All work must comply with relevant Federal and State or Territory legislative or regulatory requirements.

Requirements include:

colours

quantities

quality requirements

size

componentry

measurements

style

Last may include:

slip on

court

boot

sandal

inner shoes

Tools and equipment include:

knives and cutting tools

stamps

sewing machines

threads

needles

hand tools

machine tools

computers

mechanical duplicators

OHS practices

OHS practices must include hazard identification and control, risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction measures specific to the tasks described by this unit, and may include:

manual handling techniques

standard operating procedures

personal protective equipment

safe materials handling

taking of rest breaks

ergonomic arrangement of workplaces

following marked walkways

safe storage of equipment

housekeeping

reporting accidents and incidents

other OHS practices relevant to the job and enterprise

Sector

Footwear Production

This unit contains employability skills.