Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

Designation of occupation

Milliner
Recognised by ordinance of 15 April 2004 (BGBl. I p. 580).

Duration of traineeship

3 years
The venues for training are company and part-time vocational school (Berufsschule).

Field of activity

Milliners require manual and creative skills. They make hats for men and women.
Milliners work in small-scale trade workshops and industrial companies. In workshops, at theatres and film pro-ductions, trade fairs and events, items are usually individually made according to the milliners' own design or the requirements of their customers, and are presented and sold. On an industrial level, hats are produced in batches, based on collection prototypes.

Occupational skills

Milliners work independently on the basis of job order specifications or their own designs, observing the regulations regarding work safety, health protection and environmental protection, and ensuring quality and efficiency. They combine creative, design and finishing skills, and are able to use different materials and auxiliary materials. They plan and organise their activities, in some cases in cooperation with the team, through to the presentation and sale of the products. Milliners work in a customer-oriented manner.

Milliners

• make hats from felt and straw
• prepare materials
• press hats into shape
• sew hats, e.g. using cloth, leather or fur; create and work with style templates and alter patterns
• make hats from pictures or models
• develop, create and complete designs, taking into account fashion-related, historical, functional and technological aspects
• make sketches, drawings and samples
• complete hat designs, e.g. by using cutting techniques, rolling, and creating flowers or feather decorations
• reuse and alter hats
• make base forms from different materials
• operate and maintain instruments, tools and machines
• conduct talks with customers, particularly with regard to advice, sales and complaints
• use information and communications technologies
• apply quality assurance measures, monitor working procedures and results

Last modified on: December 12, 2006