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Industrial sewing machine operators

OaSIS code 94132.00

Industrial sewing machine operators operate sewing machines to sew fabric, fur, leather or synthetic materials to produce or repair garments and other articles.

Overview

Also known as

  • Fur sewing machine operator
  • Leather products sewing machine operator
  • Lining stitcher
  • Sample sewer
  • Serging machine operator
  • Sewing machine operator
  • Shoe sewer

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Assemble pieces of garments by matching patterns and dye lots
  • Operate single, double or multi-needle serging, flat bed felling, banding and other sewing machines, to join sections of garments or other articles into finished products on a piece-work or production basis
  • Operate fur sewing machines to join fur pelt strips to required size and shape and join pelts into garment sections or shells
  • Operate stitching machines to sew leather parts together for leather garments, handbags, shoes and other leather articles
  • Operate serging machines to sew and overcast edges of material simultaneously
  • Operate tackers, pocketsetters, buttonhole makers and fusing, hemmer and other machines to perform various operations in the fabrication of garments and other articles
  • Examine garments and operate sewing machines, sergers and other machines to repair garments and other articles during the manufacturing process
  • Complete production reports
  • May perform minor maintenance and repairs on sewing machine.

Additional information

  • Industrial sewing machine operators may progress to supervisory positions with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Shoe repairers and shoemakers (63220)
  • Inspectors and graders, textile, fabric, fur and leather products manufacturing (94133)
  • Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners (64200)

Skills match:

View occupations with similar skills and abilities requirements

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

94 – Machine operators, assemblers and inspectors in processing, manufacturing and printing

Sub-major group

941 – Processing and manufacturing machine operators and related production workers

Minor group

9413 – Machine operators and related workers in textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing

Unit group

94132 – Industrial sewing machine operators

Occupational profile

94132.00 – Industrial sewing machine operators

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Electronic Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Handling and Moving Objects
3 - Moderate Level
Mechanical Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Controlling Machines and Processes
2 - Low Level
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
2 - Low Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
2 - Low amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Standing
Duration
1 - Very little time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
3 - About half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
3 - About half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
1 - Minimally important
Frequency
1 - Once a year or more but not every month

Workplaces/employers

  • Clothing manufacturing companies
  • Footwear manufacturing companies
  • Fur products manufacturing companies
  • Furriers
  • Textile and leather products manufacturing companies

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Arm-Hand Steadiness
4 - High Level
Near Vision
4 - High Level
Rate Control
4 - High Level
Body Flexibility
3 - Moderate Level
Colour Perception
3 - Moderate Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Troubleshooting
3 - Moderate Level
Operation and Control
2 - Low Level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
2 - Low Level
Preventative Maintenance
2 - Low Level
Problem Solving
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Attention to Detail
3 - Important
Independence
3 - Important
Stress Tolerance
3 - Important
Active Learning
2 - Somewhat important
Adaptability
2 - Somewhat important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RC

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Some secondary school education is usually required.
  • Experience operating a sewing machine is usually required.
  • On-the-job training may be provided.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Electrical and Electronics
1 - Basic Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Manufacturing, Processing and Production
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
1 - Basic Level
Mechanics and Machinery
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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