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ESCO occupation

footwear stitching machine operator

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Footwear stitching machine operators join the cut pieces of leather and other materials to produce the uppers. They use several tools and a wide range of machines such as flat bed, arm and one or two columns. They select threads and needles for the stitching machines, place pieces in the working area, and operate with the machine guiding parts under the needle. They follow seams, edges, markings or moving edges of parts against the guide. Finally, they cut excess thread or material from shoe parts using scissors or dyes.

8156.2.3 ISCO 8156 ESCO source
Competences
17
Groups
3
Essential
13
Optional
4

Competences and skills

17 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 8 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

8 competences
footwear components

Footwear components both for uppers (vamps, quarters, linings, stiffeners, toe puffs etc.) and bottoms (soles, heels, insoles etc.). Ecological concerns and the importance of recycling. Selection of suitable materials and components based on their influence on the footwear style and characteristics, properties and manufacturability. Procedures and methods in chemical and mechanical processing of leather and non-leather materials.

green
ESCO source
footwear equipments

Functionality of the wide range of equipments and the basic rules of regular maintenance.

ESCO source
footwear machinery

The functionality of the wide range of footwear machines, and the basic rules of regular maintenance.

ESCO source
footwear manufacturing technology

Footwear processes technology and machinery involved. The footwear manufacturing starts in the cutting/clicking room , cutting the uppers and bottom components. The upper components are joined together in the closing room by following a precise order of specific operations: skiving, folding, sewing etc. The closed upper, the insole and other bottom components are brought together in the assembling room, where the main operations are lasting and soling. The process ends with finishing operations in the finishing and packing room.

ESCO source
footwear materials

The characteristics, components, advantages and limitations of a wide range of materials used in footwear production: leather, leather substitutes (synthetics or artificial materials), textile, plastic, rubber etc. 

ESCO source
footwear quality

Quality specifications of materials, processes and final products, the most common defects in footwear, quick tests procedures, laboratory tests procedures and standards, adequate equipment for quality checks. Quality assurance of footwear production processes and fundamental concepts on quality including footwear quality framework and standards.

ESCO source
footwear stitching techniques

The technologies, equipment, machines and processes for closing the upper components of footwear by various seams such as closed, lapped, butted, welted, piped and moccasin.

ESCO source
pre-stitching processes and techniques for footwear and leather goods

Technology including machinery and techniques for the preparation for leather goods components and footwear uppers.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Essential skills and competences 5 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

5 competences
apply basic rules of maintenance to leather goods and footwear machinery

Apply basic rules of maintenance and cleanliness on footwear and leather goods production equipment and machines that you operate.

ESCO source
apply machine cutting techniques for footwear and leather goods

Adjust and establish the machine technical operating parameters for cutting footwear and leather goods. Check and select the cutting dies, classification of the cut pieces against cutting restrictions, specifications and quality requirements. Check and complete the cutting orders. Perform simple procedures for maintenance of machines.

ESCO source
apply pre-stitching techniques

Apply pre-stitching techniques to footwear and leather goods in order to reduce thickness, to reinforce, to mark the pieces, to decorate or to reinforce their edges or surfaces. Be able to operate various machinery for splitting, skiving, folding, stitch marking, stamping, press punching, perforating, embossing, gluing, uppers pre-forming, crimping etc. Be able to adjust the working parameters of the machinery.

ESCO source
apply stitching techniques

Apply footwear and leather goods stitching techniques using the appropriate machines, needles, threads and other tools in order to obtain the required model and to comply with the sewing technical specifications.

ESCO source
operate automatic cutting systems for footwear and leather goods

Work with the equipment's software. Digitise and mark the leather areas with faults in order to avoid them. Establish nesting and cutting restrictions for each pattern. Pick up, sort, upload patterns, check and complete cutting orders. Adjust the machines and equipment parameters and perform simple procedures for maintenance.

digital
ESCO source

Cross-sector

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Optional skills and competences 4 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

3 competences
cut footwear uppers

Check and complete cutting orders, select leather surfaces and classify cut pieces. Identify faults and defects on the leather surface. Recognise colours, shades and type of finishes. Use the following tools: knife, pattern templates, cutting board and marking needle.

ESCO source
reduce environmental impact of footwear manufacturing

Assess the environmental impact of footwear manufacture and minimise environmental risks. Reduce environmentally harmful work practices in different stages of the footwear manufacturing.

green
ESCO source
use manual sewing techniques

Use manuel sewing and stitching techniques to manufacture or repair fabrics or textile-based articles.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

1 competence
sew pieces of fabric

Operate basic or specialised sewing machines whether domestic or industrial ones, sewing pieces of fabric, vinyl or leather in order to manufacture or repair wearing apparels, making sure the threads are selected according to specifications.

Scope note
In the case of industrial sewing machines, the operations are computerised.
ESCO source