Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to assemble and finish custom-made shoes.
This unit of competency applies to manual or machine assembly and finish of custom-made shoes according to pattern specifications. The degree of complexity will depend on the leather and other materials used and intricacy of the design. Discretion and judgement may be required for both self and others in planning and selecting processes, procedures or outcomes.
Competency must be demonstrated in relevant machine operations, including the setting of machines within specified tolerances and in accordance with manufacturer specifications, selection of materials, stitch types, needle threads and their 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 | Perform preparatory work on shoe | 2.1 | Set up workstation according to specifications and WHS practices |
2.2 | Use discretion and judgement to select, interpret and apply procedures and appropriate assembly processes | ||
2.3 | Follow work ticket to collect, sort, assemble and reassemble parts | ||
2.4 | Undertake conditioning to reflect workplace procedures and according to construction technique | ||
2.5 | Block upper, round or rand, as required, to conform to the last shape | ||
2.6 | Insert counter or stiffener in accordance with workplace procedures and construction techniques | ||
2.7 | Prepare insoles in accordance with specifications and to reflect construction techniques being used | ||
2.8 | Heat activate pre-cemented insoles and uppers, as appropriate | ||
2.9 | Solvent wipe bonding area where roughing could damage the backing fabric | ||
2.10 | Load track, belt or rack or prepare workstation to reflect various stages of production | ||
2.11 | Apply toe puff using the appropriate machine methods, as specified | ||
2.12 | Mould back part using hot and cold moulds in accordance with construction techniques and specifications | ||
2.13 | Carry out specific processes in accordance with workplace requirements | ||
3 | Last the shoe | 3.1 | Attach uppers and insoles as required in accordance with specifications |
3.2 | Attach shanks or stiffeners, as required | ||
3.3 | Apply stapling, as required | ||
3.4 | Insert toe puff | ||
3.5 | Check last or foot form before attaching insole and upper, checking for sizes | ||
3.6 | Condition toes and upper in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
4 | Assemble the shoe | 4.1 | Prepare materials in accordance with workplace and manufacturer specifications |
4.2 | Prepare soles and uppers in accordance with work requirements | ||
4.3 | Set up machines and check for correct operations | ||
4.4 | Assemble shoes using the appropriate manual or machine construction techniques in accordance with work requirements | ||
5 | Finish shoe | 5.1 | Conduct finishing of shoe in accordance with specifications |
5.2 | Assess final quality check against work specifications | ||
5.3 | Identify and address construction problems to meet quality standards | ||
5.4 | Forward work for preparation to despatch to client | ||
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
performing all preparatory work operations on shoe in sequence
setting machines within specified tolerances and in accordance with manufacturer specifications
applying manual and machine assembly and making techniques according to workplace procedures
assembling at least three (3) pairs of shoes using the appropriate construction techniques in accordance with work requirements
conducting finishing operations in accordance with specifications
assessing final quality against work specifications
identifying and addressing construction problems as required to meet quality standards
operating various shoe assembly machines and processes according to workplace procedures
communicating effectively with clients, individuals, work groups and supervisors
using discretion and judgement to select, interpret and apply procedures and processes
preparing and presenting records and reports in appropriate formats
applying work health and safety (WHS) and environmental policies in work operations.
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
shoe construction methods
manufacturer machine specifications, selection of materials, stitch types, needle threads and their qualities
manual and machine procedures for making and assembling shoe components
materials used including adhesives and solvents and safety requirements in their use
quality standards and leather handling procedures
WHS and environmental aspects of relevant workplace activities
effective communication with clients and other personnel
workplace procedures
practices for recording and reporting.
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 assembling and finishing custom-made shoes, 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 |
Parts of the shoe include the following: | last uppers insoles heels soles |
Conditioning includes one or more of the following: | rapid conditioning mulling use of toe steamer |
Construction techniques include one or more of the following: | cement moulded construction Veldtschoen construction moccasin construction welt construction |
Machines include one or more of the following: | heavy stitch blake stitcher toe laster side laster seat laster seat and side laster the forepart laster force lasting machine |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Footwear production