Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to machine uppers according to product requirements.
The unit of competency applies to loading, guiding and unloading a range of machine types to sew shoe uppers. It includes guided and freehand sewing. Sewing includes corners, curves, complex shapes, and contouring and joining of different materials. Sewing techniques include those where the positioning, feeding and handling of work pieces involves discretional changes, contouring or critical stopping points, or involving the special handling skills required to accommodate variations in materials and meet product requirements.
Work is conducted according to defined procedures.
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 sew upper | 2.1 | Check work bundle, assess quality of component parts and lay out work pieces in correct sequence |
2.2 | Set up workbench and seating to achieve operator comfort and minimise fatigue | ||
2.3 | Clean and check machine, and adjust machine settings according to manufacturer instructions and specifications for work | ||
2.4 | Select threads according to specifications, check needle types and attachments, and change parts and worn needles as necessary | ||
2.5 | Set stitch length, set up tension and test against specifications | ||
2.6 | Test machine for correct operation | ||
3 | Perform machine sewing | 3.1 | Select pieces according to shape, size, colour and style |
3.2 | Accurately position materials to achieve required specifications, including quality and to minimise stretch | ||
3.3 | Sew corners, curves, complex shapes, and contouring and joining of different materials | ||
3.4 | Handle work pieces involving discretional changes, contouring or critical stopping points and variations in materials, according to specifications and workplace procedures | ||
3.5 | Machine seams to achieve specific results and trim threads | ||
3.6 | Regularly check performance of machine for signs of faulty performance and take follow-up action to address faulty machine performance | ||
4 | Conduct final quality check and despatch work | 4.1 | Bundle uppers and component parts, stack and store or despatch |
4.2 | Address production faults according to workplace procedures | ||
4.3 | Bundle uppers, stack and store or despatch | ||
4.4 | Record production faults as required | ||
4.5 | Complete work 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
applying relevant standards
preparing workstation and work before commencing operations
checking work against ticket information, quality requirements and workplace procedures
loading, guiding and unloading one or more types to sew shoe uppers
applying machining techniques on at least (5) five upper pairs, involving sewing corners, curves, complex shapes, and contouring and joining of different materials
operating one (1) or more of relevant machines in the workplace
monitoring machine performance
taking appropriate action to address faults
packing, storing and despatching work according to workplace procedures
applying work health and safety (WHS) practices in work operations
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
one or more of relevant machines in the workplace
the loading, guiding and unloading techniques of a range of machine types to sew shoe uppers
upper assembly processes and machines requiring the positioning, feeding and handling of work pieces
techniques for accurately sewing complex shapes, around corners, curves and contouring
guided and freehand sewing procedures for the range of relevant machines
machine operating procedures
characteristics of typical leathers, fabrics, threads and other materials used in basic assembly and machining of uppers
signs of faulty performance and appropriate action to redress faults
quality standards and practices
handling, storage and despatch practices
WHS and environmental aspects of relevant upper assembly and machining processes
workplace 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 machining uppers, 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 |
Operations include one or more of the following: | lining stitching, back seaming, binding and bar tacking guided and freehand sewing working with a range of materials and shapes |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Footwear production