Making sewn products to meet specifications and quality criteria.
Sewing machinists work in the manufacturing sector. They produce sewn products and may also conduct repairs.
Sewn products include aviation textiles, clothing, leather goods, marine textiles, medical textiles, and soft furnishings.
Companies who employ sewing machinists may be large, small, or micro sized. They may specialise in certain sewn products, or the sewn product may be part of a wider manufacturing process.
Sewing machinists use industrial sewing machines, which may be supported by hand sewing techniques. They use techniques such as lockstitching, blind hemming, cover stitch, cup seaming, ruffling, and linking. They complete quality checks, prepare materials for the next stage in the process and complete work records. Conducting basic sewing machine maintenance is also part of the role. They also contribute to maintaining the work area and improvement work.
A sewing machinist may work alone or as part of a team, on one aspect of the sewn product's production or on various operations. They may also have contact with people from other functions for example, quality, engineers, and warehouse staff. They work under supervision.
They must ensure that their work meets product specifications, quality and speed requirements and supports production plans. They must work to health and safety rules. They must also support sustainability. For example, by minimising waste and recycling.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 15 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
Observation with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 2 hours. They will ask you at least 5 questions.
Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 45 minutes. They will ask you at least 6 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Multiple-choice test
You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.
The test will have 30 multiple-choice questions. You will have 45 minutes to complete it.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Occupational standard, end-point assessment plan and funding revised. | 18/12/2023 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 08/08/2018 | 17/12/2023 |
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