Starts on this apprenticeship are paused in the absence of an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). Starts will be permitted again once a suitable EPAO is in place.
Create knitted components or products that meet customer and/or organisation specifications and quality standards.
This occupation is found in the manufacturing, creative and design sectors, in the production of knitted fabrics and knitted products. Products are used in the clothing, medical, construction and automotive industries. Products range from luxury apparel to fast fashion, plasters to implantable medical devices, pond liners to road underlay and car seat covers to engine components.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to create knitted components or products that meet customer and/or organisation specifications and quality standards. Knitting product manufacturing technicians may work on one-off items for specific customers, product samples to be replicated or on larger production runs. They use knitting methods such as flat knitting, circular knitting, warp knitting and weft knitting. Each method produces an entirely different finish. For example, weft knitting produces a shaped component, whilst warp knitting produces only fabric yardage.
They work to a high level of accuracy; with close attention to detail, following given design briefs, which include specifications. They select the raw materials and machines appropriate for the job, select a relevant programme and set up specialist knitting machines to produce the item to specifications. They oversee the machines as they knit the product, dealing with manufacturing, quality, operational and process issues throughout production. They understand the end-to-end knitting process and support continuous improvement work as needed. They carry out routine, preventative maintenance, fault find and rectify common issues on knitting machines, ensuring they deliver a consistent level of quality production. They work efficiently, sometimes working under pressure, to meet customer or production deadlines.
Employers vary in size from micro to large. Knitted product manufacturing technicians work in a production factory environment or a sample room with access to production facilities.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with their production manager or supervisor and personnel involved in the design, development and production of knitted products. This will vary depending on the business size, structure and working environment. Typically, in a small production unit, they would work with the designer and maybe the production manager. In a workshop producing bespoke knitwear, they may work with the designer and the sample maker. In a wider factory setting, they often report to a supervisor or production manager and may work as part of a larger team, consulting with design, development and production staff, to ensure specifications are met.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for production of knitted products, implementing and overseeing efficient production methods, ensuring the knitted product meets the quality standard and design brief. They must work effectively on their own, or they may work as part of a wider team and must comply with health and safety requirements.
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
|
Duty 1 Select the appropriate knitting machines and plan own knitting production activity to achieve quality and quantity within given timescales. |
|
|
Duty 2 Select yarns or materials for knitting against the product brief and report any shortages or quality issues |
|
|
Duty 3 Evaluate the product brief for the knitted product to be made for example, specifications, style, quality, quality, size, colour and timeline |
|
|
Duty 4 Select and use specialist software programs to produce the required product to the given specifications |
|
|
Duty 5 Prepare and test knitting machines and equipment to enable the formation of the required knitted product for example, threading, gauge, needles |
|
|
Duty 6 Operate, oversee and control knitting machines whilst in production, adjusting the machines as necessary to maintain quality |
|
|
Duty 7 Inspect knitted items against quality standards and specifications throughout the knitting process |
|
|
Duty 8 Investigate and analyse faults in knitted products and remedy if possible for example, misshapen, poor tension, missed stitches, shading |
|
|
Duty 9 Conduct first line preventative maintenance on knitting machines, fault find and rectify common issues to ensure a consistent level of quality throughout the production process. For example, cleaning, checking, adjusting and changing needles on knitting machines. |
|
|
Duty 10 Identify, communicate and report issues effecting quality, quantity and deadlines |
|
|
Duty 11 Complete work documentation communicating as needed with colleagues for example, production sheets, job cards, work dockets |
|
|
Duty 12 Support continuous improvement activity |
K1: Health & Safety: Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Manual Handling, First aid procedures, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Risk Assessment
Back to Duty
K2: Equality & Diversity in the workplace
Back to Duty
K3: Waste and energy management, environmental and sustainability policies and procedures
Back to Duty
K4: Different types of knitting machines used in the production process and their applications: jacquard, circular, computerised flat knitting machines
Back to Duty
K5: The set up, programming and adjustment of knitting machines
Back to Duty
K6: Routine knitting machine maintenance: cleaning, preventative maintenance, testing
Back to Duty
K7: Knitting machine programmes: data input, software, issues and adjustments
Back to Duty
K8: Yarn or material types, origin, behaviour and specifications: content, characteristics and storage requirements
Back to Duty
K9: Work organisation; the importance and benefits of a clean, clear, well organised work area
Back to Duty
K10: Different types of knitting processes: weft knitting, interlock, purl, warp knitting
Back to Duty
K11: The principles of the knitting process: stitch formation, knitting structures, stitch density
Back to Duty
K12: How knitted components or knitted fabric make up the end product
Back to Duty
K13: Work documentation purpose and requirements: technical packs, specifications, technical sheets, Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs), dockets/tickets
Back to Duty
K14: Problem solving techniques: fault finding and rectifying for knitting machines and knitted product
Back to Duty
K15: Production efficiencies, priorities and performance: targets, performance rates, deadlines
Back to Duty
K16: Quality standards and systems: specification, tolerances, and quality checks
Back to Duty
K17: The principles of continuous improvement methods: lean manufacture, 6-sigma, KAIZEN, 5S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain)
Back to Duty
K18: Production costs of the knitted product: raw materials, labour, overheads
Back to Duty
K19: Team working techniques and benefits
Back to Duty
K20: Time management techniques: production planning, prioritising and tracking
Back to Duty
K21: Commercial awareness: the supply chain, product design, competition and customer expectations
Back to Duty
K22: Past and current UK knitting industry: medical, hosiery, geotextiles, fashion, performance wear
Back to Duty
K23: Methods of communication: verbal
Back to Duty
S1: Read and interpret knitting instructions and specifications
Back to Duty
S2: Schedule, plan and prioritise the workload
Back to Duty
S3: Identify, report and resolve any discrepancies with work instructions
Back to Duty
S4: Select and use yarns or materials, for example colour, type, count
Back to Duty
S5: Inspect raw materials, identifying and reporting faults if necessary
Back to Duty
S6: Identify and set up knitting machines
Back to Duty
S7: Organise and prepare the work area for knitting production
Back to Duty
S8: Select software and input data
Back to Duty
S9: Conduct safety checks in relation to the work area and knitting machines
Back to Duty
S10: Conduct test runs and identify quality issues
Back to Duty
S11: Correct product faults
Back to Duty
S12: Identify, report and resolve knitting machine issues
Back to Duty
S13: Adjust knitting machines
Back to Duty
S14: Change knitting machine needles and elements as required
Back to Duty
S15: Quality check final products and prepare for the next stage of the process
Back to Duty
S16: Identify and segregate reject products
Back to Duty
S17: Identify and segregate material for reuse, recycling and disposal
Back to Duty
S18: Enter information for example work records, work tickets, work dockets
Back to Duty
S19: Conduct first line preventative maintenance, for example stripping and cleaning knitting machines
Back to Duty
S20: Apply continuous improvement techniques
Back to Duty
S21: Communicate with colleagues for example verbal and written work instructions
Back to Duty
S22: Produce a knitted product costing
Back to Duty
S23: Follow safe working practices, for example follows manual handling, lifting and safe ergonomic practice
Back to Duty
B1: Team player, for example participates with others to accomplish organisational and team goals
Back to Duty
B2: Prioritises health, safety and welfare of self and others over other demands
Back to Duty
B3: Adaptable for example responds positively to changes in priorities and work deadlines
Back to Duty
B4: Takes ownership for work, for example accepts responsibilities, demonstrates initiative, motivated, and self-managing
Back to Duty
B5: Strives for continuous improvements in relation to product quality, production processes, and production systems
Back to Duty
B6: Committed to continued professional development for example reflects on performance, seeks opportunities to develop and advance in response to the evolving production environment and technologies
Back to Duty
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
3
24
this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 24/08/2020 | Not set |
Crown copyright © 2024. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence