Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Hang, fold, package, and tag finished articles for delivery to customers.90
• Operate steam, hydraulic, or other pressing machines to remove wrinkles from garments and flatwork items, or to shape, form, or patch articles.89
• Straighten, smooth, or shape materials to prepare them for pressing.88
• Remove finished pieces from pressing machines and hang or stack them for cooling, or forward them for additional processing.88
• Finish pleated garments, determining sizes of pleats from evidence of old pleats or from work orders, using machine presses or hand irons.87
• Lower irons, rams, or pressing heads of machines into position over material to be pressed.87
• Identify and treat spots on garments.85
• Shrink, stretch, or block articles by hand to conform to original measurements, using forms, blocks, and steam.85
• Finish fancy garments such as evening gowns and costumes, using hand irons to produce high quality finishes.85
• Push and pull irons over surfaces of articles to smooth or shape them.84
• Finish pants, jackets, shirts, skirts and other dry-cleaned and laundered articles, using hand irons.83
• 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.83

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Operation and Control50

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Critical Thinking38

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Operations Monitoring38

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Time Management38

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Monitoring35

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Complex Problem Solving31

  Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Equipment Maintenance31

  Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

• Troubleshooting31

  Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

• Active Learning28

  Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

• Judgment and Decision Making28

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Quality Control Analysis28

  Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

• Speaking28

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Customer and Personal Service65

  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 Processing57

  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• English Language48

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Public Safety and Security47

  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 Training40

  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 Management38

  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 Marketing37

  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.

• Mathematics35

  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• Personnel and Human Resources34

  Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

• Transportation33

  Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

• Mechanical30

  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

• Computers and Electronics27

  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Manual Dexterity66

  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 Steadiness60

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Control Precision56

  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• Near Vision56

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Finger Dexterity53

  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• Multilimb Coordination53

  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 Time50

  The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

• Trunk Strength50

  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 Flexibility47

  The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

• Rate Control47

  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.

• Dynamic Strength44

  The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.

• Problem Sensitivity41

  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Controlling Machines and Processes73

  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

• Handling and Moving Objects70

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Performing General Physical Activities70

  Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

• Getting Information64

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials59

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates58

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work56

  Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

• Scheduling Work and Activities51

  Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

• Assisting and Caring for Others50

  Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems46

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings46

  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment44

  Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Attention to Detail71

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Dependability60

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Cautiousness37

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Integrity20

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Perseverance18

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Stress Tolerance17

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

• Achievement Orientation11

  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

• Self-Control5

  A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

• Self-Confidence1

  A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.

• Sincerity1

  A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.

• Initiative0

  A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Realistic90

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional42

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Artistic22

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

• Investigative8

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

• Social3

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

• Enterprising0

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Spend Time Standing

  • Continually or almost continually57%
  • More than half the time28%

• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

  • Continually or almost continually64%
  • More than half the time12%

• Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

  • Extremely important52%
  • Fairly important11%

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Extremely important40%
  • Very important31%
  • Important26%

• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

  • Limited freedom23%

• Time Pressure

  • Every day58%
  • Once a year or more but not every month15%
  • Never11%

• Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

  • Every day53%
  • Once a month or more but not every week27%
  • Never11%

• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

  • Continually or almost continually49%
  • About half the time15%
  • Never12%

• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

  • Extremely important35%
  • Very important27%
  • Fairly important19%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others45%
  • Occasional contact with others22%

• Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

  • Continually or almost continually39%
  • More than half the time11%
  • About half the time25%
  • Never21%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• Less than high school diploma
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Doctoral degree

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Electronic mail software

  Email software

• Word processing software

  Microsoft Word

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• National Cleaners Association

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Sewing Machine Operators
• Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
• Shoe and leather workers
• Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Machine Feeders and Offbearers
• Cutting Workers
• Cutting Workers
• Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
• Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Shoe and leather workers
• Tailors, Dressmakers, and Sewers
• Crushing, Grinding, Polishing, Mixing, and Blending Workers
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
• Tailors, Dressmakers, and Sewers
• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
• Print Binding and Finishing Workers
• Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Packers and Packagers, Hand
• Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• 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.
• Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
• Stack finished items for further processing or shipment.
• 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.
• Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains.
• Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.