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Textile Operative

Do you want to become a Textile Operative? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

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Textile operatives carry out various jobs in textile production. Most of the jobs involve operating or overseeing machinery. Some machines are computerised, enabling operatives to keep several running at once.

Textile operatives may:

• start up the machinery and keep feeding it with material
• deal with minor problems, such as broken thread
• report major technical faults to a technician
• keep their own machine and work areas clean and free from fluff
• check the finished material for imperfections.

Many operatives specialise in one particular part of the production, for example spinning cotton. They can spend the day repeating the same task again and again.

Textile operatives usually work from Monday to Friday. Shift work is common and overtime is normally available. Some are paid on piecework, with bonuses depending on the amount produced rather than the hours worked. Modern textile factories are light and spacious, although they can also be hot, humid and noisy. Textile operatives usually wear protective clothing and spend a lot of time on their feet.

Trainees can earn up to £10,500 a year. Experienced textile operatives earn from around £15,000 to £20,000 a year.

Textile operatives should:

• be able to concentrate for long periods
• be willing to do repetitive tasks
• have nimble fingers for fiddly work
• have good eyesight, and for some jobs, normal colour vision
• be interested in colour and patterns.

Textile production is concentrated in the East Midlands, the North West, Yorkshire and Humber, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Different areas specialise in producing different materials.

There are no formal entry qualifications, although some employers ask for experience in a specific field, for example knitting or weaving. It may be possible to undertake an Apprenticeship. Adult entry is also possible.

Training is usually on the job, sometimes with day release to study at college. Operatives may work towards qualifications such as NVQs/SVQs in Manufacturing Textiles at Levels 1 to 3.

There are opportunities for promotion to supervisory and managerial roles, particularly for operatives who have completed relevant training.

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