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Clothing and Soft Furnishing Production Worker

Clothing and soft furnishing production workers are involved in all stages of production, from marking and cutting the fabric through to finishing the item.

Clothing and soft furnishing production workers can work in factories or at home using a range of specialist machines.

They may be employed on a full-time, part-time or casual basis.

TASKS

Clothing and soft furnishing production workers may perform the following tasks:

prepare machines for use by selecting and installing clothing production attachments
set and operate clothing production equipment controls
start and monitor clothing production equipment
mix fibres into uniform blends or add dyes or chemicals
examine final products for defects

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

enjoy practical and manual activities
able to work as part of a team
able to do neat, detailed work
able to work patiently and systematically, and meet production deadlines
good eyesight (may be corrected) and normal colour vision
good hand-eye coordination
able to cope with the physical demands of the job
good communication skills

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

Cutter - create and arrange patterns for garments on a piece of cloth or marker paper, ensuring no material is wasted, and then cut the cloth using shears, a hand-held electric cutter or computer-assisted cutting equipment.

Material Handler - checks that parts of garments are sorted according to style, size and colour before they go to the machinists to be sewn up.

Product Examiner - checks products for faults both during and after manufacture.

Sewing Machinist - operates sewing machines using various sewing techniques such as hemming and pleating.

Soft Furnishing Maker - makes curtains, cushions or furniture coverings and takes measurements, provides cost estimates, and fits tracks and curtains on site.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

You can work as a clothing and soft furnishing production worker without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. Entry into this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications.

You may like to consider a VOC qualification in clothing production or soft furnishing. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.

You can also become a clothing and soft furnishing production worker through an apprenticeship or traineeship in Clothing Production (Complex or Multiple Processes), Clothing Production (Intermediate) or Soft Furnishing.

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Additional Information

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Furnishing or Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Training Packages that will expand your career opportunities within these industries.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Clothing and soft furnishing production workers are employed by small and large manufacturing businesses. A number of clothing and soft furnishing production workers establish their own businesses.