This document discusses methods for grading sewing machine operators in the garment industry. Grading operators by skill level and the types of operations they can perform optimizes productivity and increases employee motivation. Operators are classified into categories like A, B, or C based on their experience level and the complexity of operations they can complete. Companies then set operator salaries based on their grading. The document outlines two common grading systems - one based on categorizing specific operations as A, B, or C level, and one based on the number and variety of operations an operator can perform along with their efficiency.

1. How to Evaluate Sewing Machine Operators?
Grading stitching machine operators proves highly effective in optimizing productivity along a
stitching line while also serving as a morale booster for employees.
Typically, when a stitching operator advances to a higher grade, they become more motivated
and exert greater effort in subsequent tasks.
Over time, major garment manufacturing companies have adopted a practice of setting
stitching operators' salaries based on their grading.
Grading System of Stitching Operators in Apparel Industry:
Normally stitching operator’s wage has to pay according to the category of the operator. There
are different types of categories such as skilled, semi-skilled, unskilled, and A, B, C which are
done according to their experience.
Without these, garments manufacturing factories followed some systems or methods in doing
sewing operators grading which are mentioned in the below:
1. Grading according to types of operation,
2. Grading according to sewing operators’ capability in various operations.
1. Grading according to types of operation:
A, B and C grade stitching operator is selected in this grading system, where A, B, and C grade
stitching operator is perfect for completing A, B, and C grade operations respectively. This type
of grading is done according to the below points. Such as-
• Critical and non-critical operations,
• Skill level required to operate,
• Machine using capacities such as flatlock machine and single needle lock stitch,
• Operations in the various parts of garments.
Let’s take the example of a shirt manufacturing processes has shown in the below table
according to A, B, and C grade operations.
A-Grade Operations B-Grade Operation C-Grade Operations
• Close Collar
• Close Cuff
• Attach front Pocket
• Set Sleeve Placket
• Match & Set Cuff
• Attach Neckband
• Attach Front
Placket
• Join Shoulder
• Hem Front Placket
• Attach Side Seam
• Sleeve Attach
• Attaching the main
label
• Attach Yoke
• Hem Button
• Locking operations
• Run stitch collar
• Run stitch neckband
• Sew pleats
• Gathering
• The closing flap at the
bottom
• Hem cuff

2. 2. Grading according to Stitching operators’ capability in various operations:
It’s another stitching operator grading system followed in the garments industry. Here,
operators are categorized according to the number of operations performed by an operator
from the A, B, and C grade operations.
It also shows the efficiency level of an operator. The grading table has presented the below:
Grade Criteria
A+
• Grade operations,
• At least 5 B grade operations,
• All C grade operations,
• Efficiency stands at 56%
A
• Above 5 A grade operations,
• At least 5 B grade operations,
• All C grade operations,
• Efficiency stands at 52%
B
• At least 2-3 A grade operations,
• At least 4-5 B grade operations,
• All C grade operations,
• Efficiency stands at 50%
C
• At least 5 B grade operations,
• At least 4 C grade operations,
• Efficiency stands at 45%
D
• Trainee,
• Any B or C grade operations