Leather goods stitching machine operator

Leather goods stitching machine operators join the cut pieces of leather and other materials to produce the leather goods, using tools and a wide range of machines, such as flat bed, arm and one or two columns They also handle tools and monitoring machines for preparing the pieces to be stitched, and operate the machines. They select threads and draw thread through guides and needles. 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, following seams, edges or markings or moving edges of parts against the guide.

Includes joining, decorating and reinforcing pieces of leather good products using single, double or multiple-needle stitching machines.

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a leather goods stitching machine operator.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Leather goods stitching machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to leather goods stitching machine operator.

leather goods hand stitcher
leather goods finishing operator
leather goods warehouse operator
leather goods packing operator
pre-stitching machine operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of leather goods stitching machine operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of leather goods stitching machine operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

leather goods quality control laboratory technician
leather goods quality technician
leather goods manufacturing technician
leather goods product developer
footwear quality control laboratory technician

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of leather goods stitching machine operator.

• Leather goods manufacturing processes: The processes, technology and machinery involved in the leather goods manufacturing.  
• Leather goods components: The various procedures and methods in the processing of leather materials and leather goods components like manufacturability and properties.  
• 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.
• Footwear equipments: Functionality of the wide range of equipments and the basic rules of regular maintenance.
• Leather goods quality: The quality specifications of materials, processes, and final products, the most common defects in leather, quick tests procedures, laboratory tests procedures and standards, and the adequate equipment for quality checks. 
• Footwear machinery: Tthe functionality of the wide range of machines, and the basic rules of regular maintenance.
• Leather goods materials: The wide range of materials used in leather goods production: leather, leather substitutes (synthetics or artificial materials), textile, etc; the way of distinguishing among various materials based on their properties, advantages and limitations.

These skills are necessary for the role of leather goods stitching machine operator.

• 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.
• 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.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of leather goods stitching machine operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• 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.
• Use communication techniques: Apply techniques of communication which allow interlocutors to better understand each other and communicate accurately in the transmission of messages.
• Use IT tools: Application of computers, computer networks and other information technologies and equipment to storing, retrieving, transmitting and manipulating data, in the context of a business or enterprise.

8153 – Sewing machine operators

References

1. Leather goods stitching machine operator – ESCO