Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge to develop cost estimates for sample production of products within the fashion industry.

Application of the Unit 

The unit applies to cost estimating for products developed for the fashion industry, including sample production.

Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team-related 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 skills in planning and organising and communication skills in order to determine and document costing factors for fashion products. Problem solving and numeracy skills are required to conduct costing calculations.

Prerequisites 

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Identify factors to be considered when costing  fashion products

1.1 Factors to be taken into consideration when costing fashion products are identified according to OHS practices .

1.2 Market forces  that affect costing for fashion industry are identified.

2 Identify costs  involved in producing fashion products

2.1 Costs of fabric and trims for sample garments and production are estimated.

2.2 Similar garments from different price points within fashion industry are compared and any production differences are identified.

2.3 Hidden costs  in sample production are identified.

2.4 Differences in costs for sample and bulk production garments are explained.

3 Identify and calculate labour costs involved in fashion product production

3.1 Labour  involved in fashion product production is identified.

3.2 Labour costs for production of sample and bulk production are calculated.

3.3 Different methods of utilising labour  in fashion industry are identified and compared.

4 Develop costing sheets to industry standards

4.1 Components  of fashion industry costing sheets are identified.

4.2 Costing sheets are developed to meet fashion industry standards.

4.3 Costing sheet is completed for a sample garment.

4.4 Costing sheet is used to develop quotation for bulk production.

4.5 Quality standards of work and received materials are assessed.

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

Demonstrates knowledge of:

• industry standards for costing specifications
• patternmaking and design terminology
• style features
• quality standards and practices
• sequence of operations
• OHS practices including hazard identification and control measures
• workplace practices
• recording and reporting practices

Demonstrates skills to:

• draw trade sketches and drawings
• access industry 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:

• assess and complete all required information on costing sheet
• use appropriate tools and equipment
• apply all quality criteria in the completion of the costing sheet
• apply OHS practices in work operations
• maintain accurate records
• accurately draw trade sketches of a range of garments as detailed in the design brief or specifications
• accurately label sketches with appropriate notes relating to construction and design features

Consistency in performance 

Consistently applies skills and knowledge when:

• organising work
• completing tasks
• identifying improvements
• using workplace practices
• using OHS practices
• recording and reporting accidents and incidents
• assessing operational readiness of equipment used and work processes
• recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions
• completing work systematically with attention to detail without damage to goods and equipment

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.

OHS practices

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

• 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
• other OHS practices relevant to the job and enterprise

Factors to be considered when costing may include:

• variable costs, eg fabric and labour
• fixed costs, eg overheads
• profit

Market forces may include:

• market demand for fashion labels, eg known versus unknown designer

Costs may include:

• fabric
• trims
• labour
• overheads

Hidden costs may include:

• sample garments not being included in costing of bulk garments

Labour may include:

• designers
• machinists
• sample machinists
• cutters
• marker makers
• patternmakers
• quality controllers
• pressers
• packaging
• marketing and sales
• transportation

Different methods of utilising labour may include:

• cut, make and trim (CMT)
• subcontractors
• offshore production

Components may include:

• date
• style/design number
• size
• fabrics/linings
• trims
• extras, eg pleating, embroidery
• labour/CMT
• freight/shipping
• packaging
• overheads
• labels
• fabric swatch
• trims
• flat trade sketch

Sector 

Fashion Design and Technology