8146 Sewing machinists
Unit group 8146 in the ONS Standard Occupational Classification 2020, with the line the Appendix Skilled Occupations gives it. Not immigration advice.
In short
- ONS unit group 8146, in minor group 814 (Assemblers and routine operatives) and major group 8 (Process, plant and machine operatives).
- Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Not on the list: Table 6.
- Going rate as the tables print it:
What the ONS says
Description
Sewing machinists sew and finish garments by hand or machine, rectify faults in manufactured textile goods and repair worn and damaged garments.
Typical entry routes
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is received Off and on-the-job. NVQs/ SVQs are available at levels 1 and 2.
Tasks
- operates standard and specialised machines to sew, finish and repair garments and other textile, fabric, fur and skin products
- examines fabrics of all types to identify imperfections and determine best method of repair
- performs hand sewing tasks in the making, trimming and finishing of fur, sheepskin, leather, upholstery, mats, carpets, umbrellas and other textile products
- embroiders decorative designs on textiles with machine stitching
- routinely cleans and oils machine and reports or remedies any mechanical faults
Related job titles
- Overlocker
- Seamstress
- Sewing machinist
- Stitcher
- Upholstery machinist
What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says
The Appendix lists this code in the table below, with the table’s own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.
Table 6: SOC 2020 occupation codes which are not eligible for the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes
- SOC 2020 occupation code
- 8146 Sewing machinists
- Examples of related job titles (non-exhaustive)
- Overlocker
- Seamstress
- Sewing machinist
- Stitcher
- Upholstery machinist
Other unit groups in minor group 814
- 8141 Assemblers (electrical and electronic products)
- 8142 Assemblers (vehicles and metal goods)
- 8143 Routine inspectors and testers
- 8144 Weighers, graders and sorters
- 8145 Tyre, exhaust and windscreen fitters
- 8149 Assemblers and routine operatives n.e.c.
Sources
Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.
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