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Textile Technician

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

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Textile technicians are responsible for the running and maintenance of the various machines that make textiles. Faulty machinery can cause halts in production, damage to fabrics, or even injury to the workers. In a large textile factory a technician may work with just one kind of machine, but in a smaller factory the technician will look after a range of machines.

A textile technician's main duties are:

• positioning and installing new machinery and setting it running for the first time
• regular checks and routine maintenance of machines, such as cleaning, oiling, greasing
• showing operatives how to use machines and supervising them in their use
• diagnosing mechanical problems, perhaps using computerised equipment
• repairing or replacing any damaged parts
• keeping records of all work and sometimes writing reports.

Textile technicians normally work shifts, sometimes including nights, weekends and bank holidays. Overtime is usually available. Factories can be hot, humid and noisy, although extractors remove the dust. Textile technicians usually wear protective clothing, including overalls, safety footwear, gloves, ear defenders and masks.

Salaries range from around £16,000 to £28,000 a year.

Textile technicians should be:

• good at solving problems
• willing to take responsibility
• practical and methodical
• able to communicate well in speech and writing
• technically knowledgeable.

Textile technicians work for companies involved in textile manufacturing. The main areas associated with textile production include: the East Midlands, the North West, Yorkshire and Humber, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There is, in general, a shortage of qualified technicians.

Entry is possible via an Apprenticeship or after an HNC/HND in a subject such as textiles, textiles with management, or manufacturing engineering. Most apprentices are under 24, but older engineers with experience in other industry sectors can enter the textile industry and learn on the job about fabrics.

For apprentices, training will be via a combination of on-the-job learning and day or block release study at college.

Some technicians move into management or into specialist areas such as quality control or research.

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