Application
This unit of competency covers the fitting and application of leather, pre-cut to pattern, to an upholstered item of furniture.
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 | Prepare for work | 1.1 | Specifications concerning design, leather coverings, accessories and finish are confirmed with designer/customer/client, as required | |
1.2 | Work health and safety (WHS) requirements, including personal protective needs, are observed throughout the work | |||
1.3 | Materials, work method and sequence are determined | |||
1.4 | Suitable work area is selected, prepared and cleaned of any contaminants | |||
1.5 | Appropriate equipment and tools are selected and checked for safe operation | |||
1.6 | Furniture frames/foundations are checked for quality of construction, contaminants and appropriateness to specifications, and modified and/or repaired in accordance with workplace practices | |||
1.7 | Leather panels are checked in terms of quantity, quality, grain, contaminants, size and wear stress | |||
1.8 | Trims are selected and checked in terms of quantity, quality, contaminants, size, pattern and consistency | |||
2 | Fit and apply leather | 2.1 | Work pieces are laid out in sequence according to specifications, construction process and workplace procedures | |
2.2 | Leather pieces are applied to furniture ensuring that appropriate leather is fitted to high wear areas and a smooth and consistent finish of the leather over the furniture foundation | |||
2.3 | Decorative features, including pleats, are applied to the leather before fitting, as required | |||
2.4 | Leather is secured to the foundation using appropriate fixing processes | |||
2.5 | Finish of applied leather is checked against quality standards | |||
3 | Apply trim | 3.1 | Work pieces are laid out in sequence according to specifications and workplace procedures | |
3.2 | Trims and decorative finishes are applied to the item consistent with specifications and workplace procedures | |||
3.3 | Trims and decorative finishes are checked against quality standards and modified and or repaired, as required | |||
3.4 | Final adjustments are made, as required, to ensure finish of completed item meets required quality standards | |||
4 | Complete work | 4.1 | Finished product is packaged, protected and stored in accordance with workplace procedures | |
4.2 | Workplace documentation is completed in accordance with procedures | |||
4.3 | Waste and scrap are collected for disposal/recycling in accordance with workplace procedures | |||
4.4 | Tools and equipment used are cleaned, inspected for serviceability and stored in accordance with workplace procedures | |||
4.5 | Equipment is maintained and work area is cleaned in accordance with workplace procedures | |||
Evidence of Performance
Interpret work order and locate and apply relevant information
Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment
Identify materials used in the work process
Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection processes to:
minimise the risk of injury to self or others
prevent damage to goods, equipment and products
maintain required production output and product quality
As a minimum, given cut leather pieces, fit and apply leather, including pleats to a chair
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area and estimate material requirements
Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications and the reporting of work outcomes and problems, interpret basic plans and follow safety procedures
Avoid backtracking, work flow interruptions or wastage
Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity
Evidence of Knowledge
Work requirements including workplace standards
Work flow in relation to applying leather to furniture
Leather types and their characteristics, common faults and inspection procedures
Appropriate quality and fit of finished product
Design features of the finished furnishing items
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
hold training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) or its successors
have vocational competency in the furnishing industry at least to the level being assessed with broad industry knowledge and experience, usually combined with a relevant industry qualification
be familiar with the current skills and knowledge used and have relevant, current experience in the furnishing industry.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time rather than a single assessment event and in a range of workplace relevant contexts.
Assessment must be by observation of relevant tasks with questioning on underpinning knowledge and, where applicable, multimedia evidence, supervisor’s reports, projects and work samples.
Assessment is to be conducted on single units of competency or in conjunction with other related units of competency. Foundation skills are integral to competent performance in the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessment must occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant process, equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.
Access is required to leather panels, trims, furniture frames and foundations, and a work order.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. Detail on appropriate performance levels for each furnishing unit of competency in reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy utilising the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) are provided in the Furnishing Training Package Implementation Guide.
Range Statement
Specifies 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. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment. | |
Unit context includes: | WHS requirements, including legislation, building codes, material safety management systems, hazardous and dangerous goods codes, and local safe operating procedures or equivalent work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, relevant health regulations, manual handling procedures and organisation insurance requirements work requires individuals to demonstrate some discretion, judgement and problem solving |
Leather characteristics/qualities include: | natural markings finished and unfinished sides high and low wear direction of markings flaws and blemishes colour variation between hides flexibility |
Tools and equipment include: | scissors single or multi-needle flatbed sewing machine heat gun hammer staple gun skivering machine and hand sewing needles |
Materials include: | glues staples buttons tacks piping cords banding hidem binding and pleats |
Personal protective equipment includes: | that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices: safety glasses/goggle hair nets ear muffs/plugs gloves footwear and protective clothing |
Information and procedures include: | workplace procedures relating to the use of tools and equipment work instructions, including job sheets, cutting lists, plans, drawings and designs workplace procedures relating to reporting and communication manufacturer specifications and operational procedures customer/client requirements |
Sectors
Upholstery