Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Apparel and Fashion Technology (Level 3)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
3
Credits
120
NZSCED
030107
Engineering and Related Technologies > Manufacturing,
Engineering and Technology > Garment Making
DAS classification
182
Manufacturing > Clothing Manufacture
Qualification developer
Competenz
Next review
December 2019
Approval date
November 2014
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the apparel and
fashion manufacturing sector with people who are able to use
industrial sewing machines to accurately produce a variety of
products to job and organisational requirements.
This qualification is suitable for people who wish to gain
employment in the apparel and fashion manufacturing sector, or
to recognise the specific technical skills and knowledge of people
already employed in the industry as machinists.
Graduates will be capable of working under limited supervision.
Outcome Statement
Graduate profile
Education pathway
Qualification Reference 2607
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Graduates of this qualification will, in accordance with
organisational procedures, be able to:

Prepare to sew, and accurately sew a range of garment parts
using industrial sewing machines.

Maintain industrial sewing machines and ancillary equipment
as required in manufacturers’ specifications to ensure their
efficient and safe operation.

Apply industry standards and procedures, and
communication requirements required of an apparel and
fashion manufacturing organisation.
This qualification can lead to the:

New Zealand Certificate in Apparel and Fashion Technology
(Patternmaking) (Level 4) [Ref: 2608]

New Zealand Certificate in Apparel and Fashion Technology
(Advanced Garment Construction) (Level 5) [Ref: 2605].
Following either of which the learner may progress to the:

New Zealand Diploma in Apparel and Fashion Technology
Page 1 of 4
(Level 5) [Ref: 2606].
Employment pathway
Holders of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge to
work as a machinist in the apparel and fashion manufacturing
industry.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification can be awarded by a tertiary education
organisation (TEO) which has an approved programme of study
or industry training programme leading to the qualification.
The certificate will display the logo of the NZQF and may display
the name and/or logo of the awarding body.
Evidence requirements for
assuring consistency
All TEOs either arranging training or delivering programmes that
lead to the award of the qualification are required to participate in
a consistency process scheduled by NZQA.
This will involve reviewing evidence associated with graduate’s
achievement of outcomes, and agreeing acceptable thresholds
for qualification outcome achievement, and areas for
improvement.
To demonstrate how graduates are achieving the qualification
graduate profile outcomes, TEOs are required to produce their
own evidence in a high level report.
Evidence will include the following:

Employer surveys to determine if graduates of the
qualification meet the graduate profile outcomes.

Evidence of effective processes to ensure programmes
continue to meet current industry needs.

A range of workplace evidence demonstrating that graduates
meet the graduate profile outcomes.

Any other relevant evidence as appropriate.
Further information about the managing consistency process can
be found on the NZQA website.
Credit transfer and recognition of
prior learning arrangements
Organisations that offer programmes towards the qualification
are expected to have Recognition of Current Competence (RCC)
or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment processes in
place. Credit transfer will be automatic where assessment
standards are used for assessment within programmes of study
or training leading to this qualification.
Minimum standard of
achievement and standards for
grade endorsements
Achievement of all outcomes. There are no grade endorsements
for this qualification.
Qualification Reference 2607
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Page 2 of 4
Entry requirements (including
prerequisites to meet regulatory
body or legislative requirements)
Open entry.
Qualification conditions
Overarching conditions relating to the qualification
Conditions for programme
structure
None.
Conditions for programme
context
None.
Other conditions
It is expected that the skills and knowledge components listed against
each outcome statement in the table below will be used when
developing programmes and assessing achievement of that outcome.
Specific conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
Mandatory
or Optional
1
Programme and assessment must
include:
Mandatory
Prepare to sew, and accurately sew
a range of garment parts using
industrial sewing machines.

selection of suitable thread and
needle to fabric being sewn

setting up and adjusting industrial
lockstitch and overlock sewing
machines, work aids and ancillary
equipment

following a simple job breakdown

sew a range of garment parts using a
variety of seams and construction
techniques on industrial lockstitch
and overlock machines

identifying faults and flaws in sewn
work and reporting or rectifying within
own scope

the basic properties of fabric and
different fabric types.
Credit 80
2
Maintain industrial sewing machines
and ancillary equipment as required
in manufacturers’ specifications to
ensure their efficient and safe
operation.
Programme and assessment must
include:

carrying out routine maintenance of
industrial lockstitch and overlock
sewing machines, work aids and
ancillary equipment

reporting any issues with industrial
Credit 20
Qualification Reference 2607
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Mandatory
Page 3 of 4
lockstitch and overlock sewing
machines, work aids and ancillary
equipment beyond own scope to
maintain or fix.
3
Apply industry standards and
procedures, and communication
requirements required of an apparel
and fashion manufacturing
organisation.
Programme and assessment must
include:

knowledge of health and safety
principles, products and production
methods relevant to the organisation
Credit 20

knowledge of workflow requirements
including standard minutes, quality
standards and housekeeping

calculating own efficiencies in
relation to organisational tasks

workplace communication and
reporting requirements.
Optional
Transition information
Replacement information
This qualification replaced the following national certificates:

National Certificate in Clothing Manufacture (Elementary Sewing
Skills) (Level 2) [Ref: 1161]

National Certificate in Clothing Manufacture (Sewing) (Level 3)
[Ref: 0823]

National Certificate in Clothing Manufacture (Basic Garment
Assembly) (Level 3) [Ref: 0824]

National Certificate in Clothing Manufacture (Commercial Sewing
Skills) (Level 3) [Ref: 1162].
The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2017. The
last date for award of the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2019, at which time they will be
designated as discontinued.
It is recommended that candidates currently enrolled in programmes who will be unable to complete the
replaced qualifications by 31 December 2019 transfer to the New Zealand Certificate in Apparel and
Fashion Technology (Level 3) [Ref: 2607].
It is anticipated that no existing candidates will be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements.
However, anyone who feels that they have been disadvantaged may appeal to Competenz at the
address below. Appeals will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Competenz, PO Box 9005, Newmarket, Auckland 1149.
Qualification Reference 2607
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Page 4 of 4