Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to carry out sewing operations and machine maintenance.

Application of the unit 

The unit includes identification and confirmation of work requirements, preparation for work, carrying out hand and machine sewing procedures, maintenance of sewing machine, and completion of work finalisation processes, including clean-up and documentation.

Work requires individuals to demonstrate judgement and problem-solving skills in methods of trim repairs and alterations.

Work is carried out in accordance with award provisions.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for work

1.1. Work instructions are used to determine job requirements, including quality and quantities of materials.

1.2. Job specifications are read and interpreted.

1.3. Occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including personal protection needs, are observed throughout the work.

1.4. Materials for repairs and alterations are selected and inspected for quality.

1.5. Hand and power tooling are inspected for safe use.

1.6. Products are determined to minimise waste material.

1.7. Procedures are identified for maximising energy efficiency while completing the job.

2. Carry out hand and machine sewing procedures

2.1. Information is accessed and interpreted from manufacturer/ component supplier specifications.

2.2. Sewing procedures are carried out in accordance with manufacturer/component supplier specifications.

2.3. Sewing procedures are completed within established industry/enterprise guidelines.

2.4. Activities are carried out according to industry regulations/ guidelines, OHS requirements, legislation and enterprise procedures/policies.

3. Carry out sewing machine maintenance procedures

3.1. Information is accessed and interpreted from manufacturer/ component supplier specifications.

3.2. Cleaning and lubricating procedures are carried out to manufacturer/component supplier/enterprise guidelines.

3.3. Activities are carried out according to industry regulations/ guidelines, OHS requirements, legislation and enterprise procedures/policies.

4. Clean up work area and maintain equipment

4.1. Material that can be reused is collected and stored.

4.2. Waste and scrap is removed following workplace procedures.

4.3. Equipment and work area are cleaned and inspected for serviceable conditions in accordance with workplace procedures.

4.4. Unserviceable equipment is tagged and faults identified in accordance with workplace procedures.

4.5. Operator maintenance is completed in accordance with manufacturer/component supplier specifications and worksite procedures.

4.6. Tooling is maintained in accordance with workplace procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• collect, organise and understand information related to sewing repairs and alterations, work orders, plans and safety procedures for fabricating a component or piece of equipment
• communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications, coordination of work with worksite supervisor, other workers and customers, and the reporting of work outcomes and problems
• plan and organise activities, including preparation and layout of worksite and obtaining of equipment and material to avoid backtracking, workflow interruptions or wastage
• work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise workflow and productivity
• use mathematical ideas and techniques to calculate time, apply accurate measurements, calculate material requirements and establish quality checks
• establish safe and effective work processes which anticipate and/or resolve problems and downtime, to systematically develop solutions to avoid or minimise reworking and wastage
• use workplace technology related to carrying out sewing repairs and alterations, including the use of specialist tooling, measuring equipment, computerised technology and communication devices and the reporting/documenting of results

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• OHS cleaning materials, equipment, material and personal safety requirements
• technical information
• equipment operation and safety requirements
• manufacturer/component supplier/company policies
• material matching procedures
• machine sewing procedures
• sewing methods appropriate to various material types
• planning processes and techniques for sewing repairs and alterations
• workplace guidelines regarding tolerance levels to manufacture/component supplier/enterprise/customer requirements
• procedures for reporting faults and material defects
• work organisation and planning processes
• enterprise quality processes

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

It is essential that competence is fully observed and there is ability to transfer competence to changing circumstances and to respond to unusual situations in the critical aspects of:

• observing safety procedures and requirements
• communicating effectively with others involved in or affected by the work
• selecting methods and techniques appropriate to the circumstances
• completing preparatory activity in a systematic manner
• identifying, setting up, operating and maintaining sewing equipment and procedures to complete a range of sewing repairs and alterations
• maintaining sewing machine equipment.

Context of , and specific resources for assessment 

• Application of competence is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated worksite.
• Assessment is to occur using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
• Assessment is to comply with regulatory requirements, including Australian standards.
• The following resources should be made available:

• workplace location or simulated workplace
• material relevant to carrying out sewing repairs and alterations
• equipment, hand and power tooling appropriate to carrying out sewing repairs and alterations
• activities covering mandatory task requirements
• specifications and work instructions.

Method of assessment 

• Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of AUR05 Automotive Industry Retail, Service and Repair Training Package.
• Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance together with application of underpinning knowledge.
• Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of key competencies.
• Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions and require evidence of process.
• Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competence is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
• It is preferable that assessment reflects a process rather than an event and occurs over a period of time to cover varying quality circumstances. Evidence of performance may be provided by customers, team leaders/members or other persons subject to agreed authentication arrangements.
• Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role.

Guidance information for assessment 

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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Sewing repairs and alterations 

Sewing repairs and alterations are to include:

• small repairs and alterations to vehicle trim

Sewing methods 

Sewing methods are to include:

• both hand and machine sewing
• component removal and replacement
• repair of trims trim alterations

Sewing machine maintenance procedures 

Sewing machine maintenance procedures are to be included

OHS 

OHS requirements are to be in accordance with legislation/regulations/codes of practice and enterprise safety policies and procedures. This may include:

• protective clothing and equipment
• use of tooling and equipment
• workplace environment and safety
• handling of material
• use of firefighting equipment
• enterprise first aid
• hazard control and hazardous material and substances

Personal protective equipment 

Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation/regulation/codes of practice and workplace policies and practices

Safe operating procedures 

Safe operating procedures are to include, but are not limited to:

• operational risk assessment and treatments associated with vehicular movement, electrical safety, machinery movement and operation, manual and mechanical lifting and shifting, working in proximity to others and worksite visitors

Emergency procedures 

Emergency procedures related to this unit are to include, but are not limited to:

• emergency shutdown and stopping of equipment
• extinguishing fires
• enterprise first aid requirements
• worksite evacuation

Environmental requirements 

Environmental requirements are to include, but are not limited to:

• waste management, noise, dust and clean-up management

Quality requirements 

Quality requirements are to include, but are not limited to:

• regulations, including Australian standards
• internal company quality policies and standards
• enterprise operations and procedures

Statutory /regulatory authorities 

Statutory/regulatory authorities may include:

• federal, state/territory and local authorities administering Acts, regulations and codes of practice

Tooling and equipment 

Tooling and equipment may include:

• hand and power tooling
• sewing machines
• specialist tooling for dismantling/assembly
• scissors, needles and knives
• straight edge
• tape
• square
• marking chalk

Materials 

Materials may include:

• trim cloth
• sewing material
• cleaning materials

Communications 

Communications are to include, but are not limited to:

• verbal and visual instructions and fault reporting and may include worksite specific instructions, written instructions, plans or instructions related to job/task, telephones and pagers

Information /documents 

Sources of information/documents may include:

• verbal or written and graphical instructions, signage, work schedules/plans/specifications, work bulletins, memos, material safety data sheets (MSDS), diagrams or sketches
• safe work procedures related to carrying out sewing repairs and alterations
• regulatory/legislative requirements pertaining to automotive industry, including Australian Design Rules
• engineer's design specifications and instructions
• organisation work specifications and requirements
• instructions issued by authorised enterprise or external persons
• Australian standards

Unit sector 

Vehicle body

Co-requisite units 

Competency field