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Textile Technologist

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

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Textile technologists carry out research and managerial duties connected with the development, production and quality control of fibre, yarn and fabric. Depending on their specialist area, they work in production, management, marketing, engineering, research and development or quality control. They often specialise in the production of one type of material, such as synthetics, cotton, wool and worsted or carpet textiles. The work may involve:

• developing new fabrics and colours
• improving qualities such as waterproofing, crease-proofing, flame resistance, shrink resistance, durability and colour fastness
• programming the computers for new patterns and processes
• supervising technicians and operatives
• maintaining the machinery and improving the production techniques
• buying raw materials and marketing the product
• writing and presenting reports.

Some textile technologists work regular hours from Monday to Friday, but others have to work shifts. Factories can be hot, humid and noisy, although extractors remove the dust. Textile technologists wear protective clothing such as overalls, gloves, safety footwear and masks, to guard against exposure to hazardous chemicals. They also wear ear protectors due to the noise level of the machines.

Salaries for textile technologists range from around £13,000 to £25,000 a year, or more.

Textile technologists should be:

• able to lead a team
• creative and inventive
• highly accurate in their work and able to pay attention to detail
• safety-conscious
• interested in fabric design and scientific research.

There are opportunities for textile technologists in the East Midlands, the North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These areas are traditionally associated with textile production.

Most entrants have a degree. Graduates usually enter the industry as trainees or junior managers. Relevant degree subjects include textile science, textile technology, textile management, manufacturing engineering and chemistry. For those with a non-relevant degree there are postgraduate courses relating to textiles.

The Textile Institute offers professional training for those working in the industry.

A textile technologist may progress to become a production engineer, production manager, quality control manager, sales and marketing manager or a research and development specialist.

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