This unit of competency covers skills and knowledge required to use steaming and pressing equipment in textile or clothing production operations, dry cleaning, laundry operations and millinery. It applies to garment or textile production, servicing and presentation according to the requirements and standards of the relevant textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) industry sector.

The unit of competency applies to pressing work where the position and handling of work are under the control of the operator and operator skills contribute to the final appearance and finish of the work.

The unit of competency applies to maintaining and operating equipment to press work that requires knowledge of a wider range of fabrics or more complex items. Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities.

This unit of competency is applicable to all sectors of the TCF industry.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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

setting up equipment to suit job requirements and performing routine checking and maintenance

operating equipment according to manufacturer specifications

identifying material characteristics

testing material samples

steaming and pressing a variety of materials and/or items according to the tests on material samples and manufacturer’s instructions, on at least three (3) occasions

using steaming and pressing equipment to form, adjust, finish and present garments, textiles, laundry or dry cleaning items or millinery, as appropriate to the sector

reporting and documenting processes, as required

applying workplace procedures.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

relevant Australian Standards

material types and their performance characteristics:

reaction to heat, steam, time and pressure, including:

stretching

shrinking

elasticity

tension

drying time

manufacturer instructions for:

SOPs

troubleshooting

minor maintenance procedures

limitations of usage

conditions of warranty

suggested temperature, timing and moisture for various materials

operation of steaming and pressing equipment to form, adjust, finish and present garments, textiles, millinery, laundry or dry cleaning items, as appropriate to the sector

steaming and pressing equipment, such as:

irons

presses

industrial steam irons

suction boards

sleeve board

sleeve roll

millinery steamer

hot block

hat stretcher

hairdryer

industrial pressing station

ironing board

water bottle

pressing pad or roll

needle board

pressing cloth

distilled water

equipment testing and checking

material samples testing:

testing on a small piece of material at various heat settings to ascertain optimum settings (temperature and time) for the material

test material reaction to steam or water

procedures to engage and disengage tools and equipment:

turning-on electricity source

setting temperature and timing devices

pre-heating

turning off power source

allowing equipment to cool before storage

emptying water reservoir

cleaning equipment

disassembling parts ready for storage

steaming and pressing presentation:

components

finished items for packaging or storage

finished items after unpacking

a finished item to revitalise it

items ready for visual merchandising

a finished item ready for despatch

workplace procedures

recording and reporting practices.

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 using steaming and pressing equipment in TCF production, 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.

The unit is applicable to all TCF sectors and assessment must ensure it is delivered to suit the industry it is being applied to.

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.

Not applicable

Generic