Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge to review production processes used in garment production and contribute to identifying and implementing improvements.

Application of the Unit 

The unit applies to providing input to improvement of processes in the range of clothing production environments, including volume and custom production.

The unit applies across the range of garment production processes. Skills and knowledge in garment production processes, tools, materials and equipment is essential.

Improvement contributions may be made to any part of the production process, including production practices, documentation, supply, despatch, operator practices, safety, quality, housekeeping.

Work may be self-directed and unsupervised.

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 application of problem solving skills and initiative and enterprise to review production processes and identify opportunities for improvement. Planning and organising skills and communication and teamwork are required to implement change and gain support from other stakeholders. Learning and self management skills will be applied to review appropriateness of own suggestions and make necessary modifications.

Prerequisite 

LMTGN2002B

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Identify key elements of production requirements

1.1 Key customers and their needs and expectations are identified.

1.2 Garment production processes  are described in terms of how they contribute to the value chain .

1.3 Key suppliers  are identified and their role in the value chain described.

1.4 Enterprise quality standards for critical points of production process are identified.

1.5 Enterprise production requirements  are identified.

2 Review production processes

2.1 Housekeeping practices are identified and reviewed against enterprise standards to assess conformity.

2.2 OHS practices  are identified and reviewed against enterprise standards to assess conformity.

2.3 Production waste  is identified.

2.4 Methods of monitoring production outcomes  are identified.

2.5 Garment production outcomes are assessed against production goals.

3 Identify improvement opportunities

3.1 Opportunities for improvement are identified.

3.2 Suggestions for improvement are made.

3.3 Improvement is tested  with appropriate personnel .

3.4 Reports, records and recommendations for improvement are provided.

4 Implement improvement

4.1 Implications of improvement are identified.

4.2 Desired result of improvement is identified and method of measuring outcome established.

4.3 Methods of addressing any possible negative implications are identified and implemented.

4.4 Consultation with relevant personnel is conducted to communicate improvement.

4.5 Improvement is implemented.

4.6 Improvement is monitored to ensure correct implementation and review effectiveness in achieving desired result.

4.7 Adjustments to improvement are made as required.

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

Demonstrates knowledge of:

• quality standards applying to garment handling procedures, construction processes and finished product
• impact of incorrect production techniques on garment construction
• workplace communication procedures
• sequence of operations in the production process
• production suppliers and value chain concepts
• quality standards and practices
• OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures
• workplace practices
• recording and reporting practices

Demonstrates skills to:

• plan product construction
• analyse and evaluate
• communicate with management
• conduct quality checks to identify non-compliances with quality standards
• 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 

Demonstrates skills and knowledge to:

• review garment production processes
• identify and assess improvement opportunities
• evaluate implications of improvement
• identify and interpret workplace standards
• communicate process improvement options

Consistency in performance 

Consistently applies skills and knowledge when:

• organising work
• completing tasks according to instructions
• working systematically with attention to detail
• identifying improvements and avoiding damage
• using workplace practices
• using OHS practices
• recording and reporting accidents and incidents
• assessing operational readiness of equipment
• recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions

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.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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.

Garment production processes may include:

• receiving and processing of fibres or fabric
• identification of fibre and fabric quality
• lay-up and cutting of fabric
• making marker
• pressing
• specialist machine use such as binding, moulding, embroidery, etc.
• pattern design, modification and development
• sewing, machine processes
• repairs and alterations
• blocking and shaping
• trimming, finishing
• testing, inspecting
• despatch, storage, packing
• finishing processes

Value chain includes:

• the entire chain of production from raw materials to distribution of final product

Suppliers may include:

• suppliers of fibres, fabrics, trims, buttons, zips, thread and components used in garment production
• personnel, specialist support, contractors
• despatch, warehousing, transport operators
• publicity and promotional suppliers
• machinery and equipment suppliers and repair contractors

Production requirements

• timing requirements
• quantity
• quality
• specific order requirements
• procedural requirements
• OHS practices
• personnel
• resource use

Production waste may include:

• unusable materials, off-cuts
• delays
• movement and transport
• poor process design
• inventory
• inefficient performance of a process
• making defective items

Production outcomes includes:

• outcomes achieved at various stages of the production process

Tested may include:

• trialled
• verified
• piloted
• measured against research

Appropriate personnel may include:

• managers
• supervisors
• colleagues
• specialist staff

OHS practices

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

• 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
• environmental practices

Sector 

Clothing Production