Apparel Industry Workers: Job Description and Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview Apparel industry is technologically advanced nowadays compared to the time when people were depended on their hands to sew garments. When the sewing machine was invented, it had made the life of apparel workers easier and increased production of garments. Different types of machines for garment making were invented which are now being used in factories. Clothing factories have different divisions and there is a strict division of task among employees. Markers, spreaders, cutters, assemblers, sewers, sewing machine operators, hand sewers, pressers, tailors, apparel inspectors and production control technicians are the basic workers involved in an apparel industry.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
In high school, classes in Sewing, Family and Consumer Science helps an applicant in learning the basic skills needed to be able to work in an apparel industry. Mathematics, Design, Mechanical Drafting and vocational training in machinery are beneficial. Computers are now used in clothing factories and therefore an applicant should also take Computer classes. Those who have vocational, secondary or postseconday training and work experience in garment industry have better opportunities of being employed and getting a promotion. Community and technical colleges are now offering a two year Associate’s degree which involves internship in an apparel company.
Skills and Abilities
Excellent eye-hand coordination is needed to be able to perform the different tasks involved in sewing garments properly. They should have an interest in clothes and fashion. Knowing different fabrics will help the applicants create appealing and quality clothes or products. They should know how to follow patterns and instructions and work well with the others.
Duties
Since tasks are already distributed to the different divisions in a clothing factory, the responsibility of the apparel industry workers depends on what department or division they are assigned. Markers are responsible in creating the paper pattern usually with the help of a computer.
Fabrics to be used will depend on the quality and number of products needed. Layers of fabrics are arranged on the cutting table by the spreaders. Those who use machine cutter or use their plain hands to cut the fabric are called the cutters. This is a very critical task since mistakes in cutting the fabric can ruin the material. Various pieces are put together and are prepared for sewing by the assemblers. The biggest population in clothing factory comprises the sewers who are involved in connecting the fabric pieces using sewing machines. Those who perform specialized sewing by using different types of machine are called sewing machine operators. Delicate and valuable materials are handled by hand sewers.
Earnings and Job Outlook
The apparel industry workers’ salary is dependent on the number of clothing pieces they are able to finish and the type of job they perform in the factory. There are seasons when apparel sales are low which results to the reduced working hours for apparel industry workers and reduced chances of earning more income from the job.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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Word Count: 529 Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2010 Time: 7:33 PM
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