Fabricates and repairs canvas and related products such as awnings, tents, tarpaulins, horse rugs and caravan annexes.

Cuts and prepares canvas to design specifications, patterns and drawings; sews, glues and rivets sections of canvas together to make articles such as awnings, tents, tarpaulins and horse rugs; attaches grommets, fastenings and other fittings to canvas goods; fabricates sails.

Works indoors in workrooms or workshops. The work area will usually be adequately heated and ventilated and have large work spaces and tables with heavy duty sewing machines for canvas, PVC and similar materials.

• Physical demand is medium to heavy.
• Standing and walking are frequently required, but sitting is not required. Squatting, crouching or kneeling is frequently required, for example when holding mobile sewing or heat machines to sew up or weld the joints of the canvas or PVC items.
• Stretching up and across is frequently required to pull pieces of canvas up on pulleys or lay it out on the floor to mark out the required patterns and shapes.
• Twisting of the body or neck is occasionally required when lifting and moving canvas or PVC items.
• Contact with water or skin irritants is not required, although strong glues or adhesives may be used to seal joints.
• Lifting and carrying and bending are frequently required when picking up canvas and PVC items such as tents and covers and is likely to be of medium to heavy physical demand.
• Repetitive movements of the hands and arms are frequently required for marking out, cutting and sewing activities.
• Driving is not required.
• There is a requirement for frequent use of a range of hand and electric tools and equipmentincluding shears or other cutting instruments or machines, heavy duty sewing machines or heat machines to seal joints, over-lockers and a variety of other hand tools such as eye-hole punches.
• Mental skills needed are practical, problem-solving, measuring and organisational.

A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.