Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge to cost products for volume production within the fashion design industry.

Application of the Unit 

The unit applies to costing products within the fashion design industry, while deciding on the most cost-effective mechanism for the production to occur. In-house, cut, make and trim (CMT) and offshore production must be investigated and competency in costing all three production options must be achieved. All work to be costed will be carried out according to workplace practices and procedures applying at the point of 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, calculate and document costs for fashion products. Problem solving and numeracy skills are required to conduct costing calculations.

Prerequisites 

LMTFD4004B

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Identify available production options 

1.1 Different production options are identified.

1.2 Features of production options are identified

2 Identify costs associated with each production option

2.1 Cost benefits  of each option are identified and compared.

2.2 Cost negatives of each option are identified and compared.

2.3 Previous production records are reviewed and appropriate personnel are consulted, to determine costing efficiency of production options.

2.4 Variables which impact on design production costs are identified.

2.5 OHS practices are considered in costing.

3 Identify industry standards for design production

3.1 Target market for end products in design production is identified.

3.2 Differences  between short-run or design production and large scale volume production are identified and compared.

3.3 Quality industry standards for design production are identified.

4 Develop costing sheets to industry standards

4.1 Costing sheet is completed for an in-house design production run.

4.2 Costing sheet is completed for a cut, make and trim production run.

4.3 Costing sheet is completed for an offshore production run.

4.4 Costing sheets are used to compare and select most appropriate design production option.

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:

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

Demonstrates skills to:

• draw trade sketches and drawings
• access industry standards
• calculate and compare costs
• 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
• complete at least three different costing sheets for three different design production options
• apply all quality criteria in completion of 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.

Production options may include:

• in-house production
• cut, make and trim suppliers
• offshore production

Costs may include:

• freight
• tariffs/duties
• wastage
• wages or labour
• materials
• equipment usage and maintenance

Cost benefits may include:

• reduced wastage
• greater control over production schedule
• reduced overheads
• flexible use of labour
• cheaper labour
• greater flexibility

Cost negatives may include:

• high overheads
• freight/shipping
• lack of quality control
• longer lead times
• larger minimum orders

Variables may include:

• labour availability
• availability of materials and equipment
• transportation reliability
• exchange rate changes
• complexity of design production

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

Differences may include:

• quality control
• style/design features
• choice of fabrics
• using of linings
• choice of trims
• extras, e.g. pleating, embroidery
• costs
• machinery and equipment requirements

Sector 

Fashion Design and Technology