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Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.
Education
Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.
Examples
These occupations involve following instructions and helping others. Examples include food preparation workers, dishwashers, sewing machine operators, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, logging equipment operators, and baristas.
Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $19K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $21K
Median Salary: $25K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $29K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $32K
Demand
Core Tasks
Hang, fold, package, and tag finished articles for delivery to customers.
Operate steam, hydraulic, or other pressing machines to remove wrinkles from garments and flatwork items, or to shape, form, or patch articles.
Straighten, smooth, or shape materials to prepare them for pressing.
Finish pleated garments, determining sizes of pleats from evidence of old pleats or from work orders, using machine presses or hand irons.
Lower irons, rams, or pressing heads of machines into position over material to be pressed.
Remove finished pieces from pressing machines and hang or stack them for cooling, or forward them for additional processing.
Identify and treat spots on garments.
Shrink, stretch, or block articles by hand to conform to original measurements, using forms, blocks, and steam.
Finish fancy garments such as evening gowns and costumes, using hand irons to produce high quality finishes.
Push and pull irons over surfaces of articles to smooth or shape them.
Finish pants, jackets, shirts, skirts and other dry-cleaned and laundered articles, using hand irons.
Select appropriate pressing machines, based on garment properties such as heat tolerance.
Slide material back and forth over heated, metal, ball-shaped forms to smooth and press portions of garments that cannot be satisfactorily pressed with flat pressers or hand irons.
Use covering cloths to prevent equipment from damaging delicate fabrics.
Examine and measure finished articles to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as tape measures and micrometers.
Position materials such as cloth garments, felt, or straw on tables, dies, or feeding mechanisms of pressing machines, or on ironing boards or work tables.
Spray water over fabric to soften fibers when not using steam irons.
Finish velvet garments by steaming them on bucks of hot-head presses or steam tables, and brushing pile (nap) with handbrushes.
Measure fabric to specifications, cut uneven edges with shears, fold material, and press it with an iron to form a heading.
Moisten materials to soften and smooth them.
Activate and adjust machine controls to regulate temperature and pressure of rollers, ironing shoes, or plates, according to specifications.
Block or shape knitted garments after cleaning.
Clean and maintain pressing machines, using cleaning solutions and lubricants.
Insert heated metal forms into ties and touch up rough places with hand irons.
Press ties on small pressing machines.
Brush materials made of suede, leather, or felt to remove spots or to raise and smooth naps.
Sew ends of new material to leaders or to ends of material in pressing machines, using sewing machines.
Select, install, and adjust machine components, including pressing forms, rollers, and guides, using hoists and hand tools.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Customer and Personal Service
73%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Production and Processing
66%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
English Language
59%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Public Safety and Security
58%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Education and Training
52%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Administration and Management
51%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Sales and Marketing
50%
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Mathematics
48%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Personnel and Human Resources
47%
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Transportation
46%
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Top 10 Skills
Operation and Control
60%
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking
50%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operations Monitoring
50%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Time Management
50%
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Monitoring
48%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving
45%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Equipment Maintenance
45%
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting
45%
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Active Learning
43%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Judgment and Decision Making
43%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Top 10 Abilities
Manual Dexterity
73%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
68%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Control Precision
65%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Near Vision
65%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Finger Dexterity
63%
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Multilimb Coordination
63%
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Reaction Time
60%
The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Trunk Strength
60%
The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Extent Flexibility
58%
The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Rate Control
58%
The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
Top 10 Work Activities
Controlling Machines and Processes
78%
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Handling and Moving Objects
76%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities
76%
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Getting Information
71%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
68%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
67%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
65%
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Scheduling Work and Activities
61%
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Assisting and Caring for Others
60%
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
57%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Detailed Work Activities
Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
Package products for storage or shipment.
Smooth garments with irons, presses, or steamers.
Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.
Stack finished items for further processing or shipment.
Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
Clean fabrics or apparel.
Select production equipment according to product specifications.
Prepare fabrics or materials for processing or production.
Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures.
Clean production equipment.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
Cut fabrics.
Operate sewing equipment.
Install mechanical components in production equipment.
Work Context
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Education
Interests
Realistic
100%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
77%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative
39%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic
34%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising
29%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
19%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
93%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Integrity
92%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Dependability
87%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
86%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Stress Tolerance
84%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Innovation
83%
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Cooperation
81%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Concern for Others
80%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Persistence
79%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Achievement/Effort
78%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Work Values
Relationships
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Achievement
24%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence
24%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions
22%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
19%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.