Overview
Textile operatives spin natural and synthetic material into yarns and fabrics for use in clothing, furnishings and industrial products.
Day-to-Day Tasks
- Set up machinery and programme instructions
- Operate machine looms that knit, weave and loop threads together
- Prepare fibres and make sure they are combed, cleaned and twisted into yarns
- Spin fibres and wind them onto bobbins or cones
- Monitor production and report any problems
- Do quality checks
- Treat fabrics to make them stain or crease resistant
- Make sure machines are ready for handover to the next shift
- Keep production areas clean
Organisations
Textile and garment factories.
Workplace
You could work in a factory or in a workshop.
Your working environment may be noisy.
Working Hours
Normally 41 – 43 hours per week.
Salary
£16,500 – £24,000.
Qualifications
You could do a college course, which may help you when you start looking for work.
Courses include:
- Level 1 or Level 2 Certificate in Textiles
- Level 2 Certificate in Fashion and Textiles
You’ll usually need:
- 2 or fewer GCSEs at Grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a Level 1 course
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a Level 2 course