Footwear Pattern Grader

The purpose of this part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Footwear Pattern Grader. A Footwear Pattern Grader produces graded patterns for a range of footwear styles and functionalities. A qualified learner will be able to: • Read, understand and interpret footwear design and manufacturing specifications, styles and construction and select correct last and other raw material based on a design specification. • Apply sizing systems for grading of footwear standards. • Grade footwear standard with lines (one size up and one size down) and produce a neat, accurate and well labelled set of patterns.

There are no similar registered qualifications on the NQF. Therefore, the Footwear Pattern Grader performs a crucial role in the manufacturing of quality footwear and without this role the impact on the quality and financial viability of the footwear product will be detrimental. This is a crucial and much needed part in the construction of footwear. An absence of well-qualified Pattern Makers and Graders could potentially lead to ill-fitting footwear causing a number of physiological problems and even permanent deformities in humans.The footwear pattern grader is the professional that transforms the original, finalised, standard size pattern that will be used to produce footwear patterns in the various size ranges required. . The main responsibility of the Footwear Pattern Grader is the grading of the patterns for uppers, bottomstock and linings into the various size ranges as required. Footwear Pattern Graders take the original, finalised, standard size pattern and grades them into various sizes larger and smaller than the standard pattern size. Qualified learners apply knowledge and understanding of materials, footwear construction and manufacturing capabilities of factories to compile manufacturing specifications for each footwear product, indicating requirements for processes, materials, trims and so forth applying a thorough understanding of the development of the shoe last and of all the bottom components such as insoles, soles and heels and the different materials that can be used in production such as leathers, synthetics and fabrics. Typical learners for the qualification are school leavers wanting to pursue a career in the footwear manufacturing industry and/or employees currently employed as Footwear graders but without formal qualifications in this field. Learners completing this part-qualification successfully could find employment in any footwear manufacturing company and/or footwear design institutions as Pattern graders. This part-qualification will contribute to the economy by creating suitably qualified persons that can fill important roles in the footwear industry. It will also create progression in terms of learning, leading to multiskilled employees. Furthermore, the qualification will support the footwear industry to reduce defects and reworks leading to sustainability. Footwear manufacturing companies will benefit from employing qualified Footwear Pattern Graders since they fulfil an important role in the footwear manufacturing process and as such will contribute to the quality and cost effectiveness of the footwear manufacturing process and product. The pattern grading techniques are fundamental to the design process that leads to the creation of a footwear collection or size range. Without a proper graded pattern, the manufacturer will not be able to produce good quality footwear to the correct size. The Footwear Pattern Graders are recognised by the industry, are recruited by employers and will find employment in the industry. The part-qualification thus provides an exit point into employment. The footwear industry recognises the Footwear Pattern Grader occupation as a standalone occupation. Therefore, such a qualification is required by the footwear industry. This part-qualification has been developed with the support, contribution and sign off from the following footwear stakeholders: • Footwear & Leather Industries Cluster (FLIC). • National Union of Leather and Allied Workers (NULAW). • SA Clothing & Textile Workers Union (SACTWU). • National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry (NBCLI). • Department f Trade and Industry (DTI). • Fibre Processing and Manufacturing SETA Quality Assurance (FP&M SETA QA). • South African Footwear & Leather Industries Association (SAFLIA). Professional registration is not required for this qualification since no professional body for the industry exists.

• Learners will gain access to the part-qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. • Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be exempted from modules through RPL. • Learners will be awarded credits for or towards the qualification or part qualification through RPL as provided in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for credits provides for the formal award of credits for, or towards a qualification or part-qualification registered on the NQF. RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this part-qualification is: • NQF Level 2 Footwear related qualification.

• Read, understand, and interpret footwear design and manufacturing specifications, styles and construction and select correct last and other raw material based on a design specification.
• Apply sizing systems for grading of footwear standards.
• Grade footwear standard with lines (one size up and one size down) and produce a neat, accurate and well labelled set of patterns.