Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Apparel and Fashion Technology (Patternmaking)
(Level 4)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
4
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 make
and adapt flat patterns for a range of unstructured garments
according to customer requirements and organisational
procedures.
This qualification is suitable for people who wish to train in
patternmaking in the apparel and fashion manufacturing sector,
or to recognise the specific technical skills and knowledge of
patternmakers already employed in the industry.
Graduates will be capable of self-management of learning and
performance under broad guidance.
Outcome Statement
Graduate profile
Education pathway
Qualification Reference 2608
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Graduates of this qualification will, in accordance with
organisational procedures, be able to:

Make and adapt flat patterns for unstructured garments in a
range of styles and fabric types.

Complete specification sheets for a range of unstructured
garments.

Grade flat patterns manually for a range of unstructured
garments.

Communicate patternmaking requirements for a range of
unstructured garments to internal and external customers.
This qualification can lead to the:

New Zealand Certificate in Apparel and Fashion Technology
(Advanced Garment Construction) (Level 5) [Ref: 2605]

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 patternmakers and production assistants 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 2608
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Page 2 of 4
Entry requirements (including
prerequisites to meet regulatory
body or legislative requirements)
It is recommended that people enrolling in this qualification hold
the New Zealand Certificate in Apparel and Fashion Technology
(Level 3) [Ref: 2607], or have demonstrated equivalent skills and
knowledge in the apparel and fashion manufacturing
environment.
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.
Structured garments, or parts of garments, are those that could have
lining, fusing, boning, wiring or shoulder pads and usually complex
methods of construction.
Unstructured garments require no additional support to the fabric and
have less complicated methods of construction.
Specific conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
Mandatory
or
Optional
1
Make and adapt flat patterns for
unstructured garments in a range of
styles and fabric types.
Programme and assessment must include:
Mandatory

describing and using patternmaking
tools and equipment
Credit 90

correctly labelling pattern pieces

making blocks, making patterns from
blocks and adapting flat patterns for
unstructured woven and knit garments
for men, women and children

cutting, sewing and test fitting patterns

recognising and describing properties of
fabric – knits, woven, non-woven.
2
Complete specification sheets for a
range of unstructured garments.
Credit 10
Qualification Reference 2608
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Programme and assessment must include:

Mandatory
determining specification sheet details
which may include: specification
drawing, lay plan, yield, garment
description, job breakdown, stitch
length, thread type, lining, fusing and
Page 3 of 4
other apparel components as required

3
Grade flat patterns manually for a
range of unstructured garments.
Programme and assessment must include:

Credit 10
4
Communicate patternmaking
requirements for a range of
unstructured garments to internal and
external customers.
selecting correct care labelling of fabric
and suitable haberdashery for
garments.
grading patterns for men’s, women’s
and children’s woven and knit
garments.
Programme and assessment must include:

interpreting pattern request received
from internal and/or external customer
to determine pattern feasibility and
viability

giving and receiving feedback during
patternmaking process to ensure
pattern meets customer brief.
Credit 10
Mandatory
Mandatory
Transition information
Replacement information
This qualification replaced the National Certificate in Clothing Manufacture
(Design and Patternmaking) (Level 3) [Ref: 0926].
The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualification is 31 December 2017. The
last date for award of the replaced qualification is 31 December 2019, at which time it will be designated
as discontinued.
It is recommended that candidates currently enrolled in programmes who will be unable to complete the
replaced qualification by 31 December 2019 transfer to the New Zealand Certificate in Apparel and
Fashion Technology (Patternmaking) (Level 4) [Ref: 2608].
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 2608
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Page 4 of 4