A textile laboratory technician at work: a young woman in a laboratory wearing safety goggles and looking at a solution.

Textile and Clothing Technology: an insight into the different job roles and training opportunities

Would you like to combine your interest in fashion and technology? If so, you will certainly find the perfect job role in the field of textile and clothing technology. This area of the fashion industry offers a lot of exciting job roles, which are very important to produce clothes. In the following article, we will give you an insight into the different job roles in the textile and clothing technology industry. We will be taking a closer look at the professions of textile engineer and textile laboratory technician. We will also inform you about the different training opportunities and career prospects.

Clothing technology: two members of staff working in a textile factory on a laptop.

What is textile technology?

Textile technology focuses on all the important stages in production to produce clothes from textiles. Starting by creating fibre, then carrying out testing and a quality inspection. However, the complexity of textile technology is varied as it depends on the type of material being processed and what the product will be. Synthetic fibres compared to natural fibres need to be processed differently, therefore different steps need to be followed during the production. Woven fabrics, for example, are produced in a weaving mill and knitted fabrics are produced in a knitting mill.

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Don't forget...

Expertise in textiles for the production of clothes is a basic requirement. A lot of textiles manufacturers are pursuing their goal of optimising the recycling process and using sustainable materials.

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An insight into the different jobs roles in the clothing and textile technology industry

We recommend looking into textile technology if you are interested in the properties of fabrics and their characteristics. Below you will find some information on some of the different job roles in the clothing and textile technology sector. Some of the terms may differ depending on where you work.

Garment technologist

As a garment technologist, you will be working directly where the garments or other textiles are being produced. In this job role, you will complete the technical support of the different stages of the production: from monitoring the designs and the production to the distribution of the finished textiles. Depending on the size of the company and your type of training, you can specialise in one of the following three areas of work: design and planning, manufacturing or product management. Are you passionate about patterns, designs and the technology used to create new collections? If so, then design could be an exciting field for you. Garment technologists who have specialised in manufacturing will carry out quality assurance tests during production. Product management is the ideal job field for you if you prefer to develop products and carry out market analyses.

Textile engineer

The tasks of a textile engineer focus on everything to do with materials and their properties. As a textile expert, you will monitor the production and work closely with quality management. The different tasks of a textile engineer are quite complex, therefore generally most people tend to focus on one of the production stages. This could be, for example, the production of fibres, textile design or refinement. Some textile engineers also go on to conduct research and develop innovative materials, which need to be thoroughly tested and analysed. In addition, they also need to comply with environmental and health and safety regulations. Another important part of this job role is trying to optimise the manufacturing processes, such as avoiding waste during the different production stages.

Textile laboratory technician

Your tasks as a textile laboratory technician will focus on refinement. You will investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of textiles and carry out any necessary tests. This means that you will focus on checking the quality of the goods once they have been delivered. This job role is very important as you will ensure that the high-quality products can be processed. This also has an impact on the safety of the products, for example making sure no children’s clothes contain any harmful pollutants. Other tasks of a textile laboratory technician include checking complaints or assisting in the development of new materials.

Print designer

You are the go-to person in the textile industry when someone needs a printing specialist. Working as a textile printer, you will give pieces of clothing that special je ne sais quoi. To optimise the quality of the different prints, you will need to create digital print designs as we all as prepare the textiles for printing by using special methods. You will select the appropriate printing process depending on the requirements and then monitor it. A good example of one of the printing processes would be digital printing. A print designer is also in charge of the cleaning and maintenance of the printer. In case there are any faults during the printing process, you will need to take care of them.

Skills and interests needed to work in the field of textile technology

To work in the clothing and textile technology industry you will need to have a general interest in materials, technical processes as well as science such as physics and chemistry. It is also an advantage if you are good with technology, and you are computer-literate. You will also need to monitor the different stages of production in other departments, in addition, you will have regular contact with colleagues who work in other areas. Therefore, it is important that you are well organised and you have good communication skills.

Training and course of studies to become a garment technologist

Depending on your school-leaving qualifications you can attend a college and complete a course or you can complete a university course. Dual studies are a popular choice as you can gain some practical work experience at the same time as studying.

The following job roles will give you the qualifications you need to work in the textile technology industry:

Garment technologist: further training as a technician (specialising in clothing technology), studies in textile and clothing technology
Textile engineer: studies in product innovation with textiles, textile technology as well as textiles management
Textile laboratory technician: completing an apprenticeship or training as a textile laboratory technician
Print designer: an apprenticeship or a college course in print design or textile refinement, studies in print technology

Tip: Do you still have thirst for knowledge after completing your training or studies? If so, then it is a good idea to do further training as this will give you a higher qualification. After you have completed your studies, you can then decide to do a masters. After finishing your bachelor's degree, you have the option of completing a master's degree and possibly even a doctorate in one of the areas relevant to textile engineering.

Career prospects for clothing and textile technology

The different job roles in the textile technology sector are essential for the fashion industry. The different sectors cover marketing, complaints and monitoring the production. Textile technology is in demand and continues to develop through new research findings. Potential employers could be fashion or textile manufacturers.

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Did you know that...

One of the trends in textile technology is individualised fashion. Textile manufacturers are trying to match supply and demand to avoid overproduction. Looking towards the future, there are also other important topics such as sustainability and more environmentally friendly products.

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Conclusion: here is how you can find a job role in the textile technology industry

You are in the right place if you have a passion for science, fashion and technology. Whether working as a textile engineer or as a print designer, you will have an important role where you will monitor textile production, which will ensure a safe and high-quality product. In addition, you can contribute to a brighter future by researching and developing new production methods and innovative materials.

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