My World of Work

You are here

Home // My Career Options // Textile technologist

Textile technologist

Bookmark
Manufacturing and production
Produce

Career outlook for textile technologist

Average UK salary

£36,400

Currently employed in Scotland

4,300

"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would develop and produce fibres, yarns and fabrics which can be used in clothing and other products. You could work in a range of areas, such as research and development, engineering, production, or quality control.

You would:

  • Develop new fibres to match trends
  • Work closely with designers and customers
  • Find ways to improve fabric quality
  • Develop and test new chemical processes
  • Create new colours for dyeing and printing
  • Research better production methods
  • Programme computerised textile machinery
  • Visit suppliers
  • Manage production
  • Carry out quality checks

This is a job that requires practical skills as well as good knowledge of physics and chemistry. You would also need to understand different types of textiles and their properties, and know how the manufacturing process works. 

Working conditions

Hours

You’ll normally work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Sometimes you may need to cover longer hours to meet deadlines.

Environment

You may be based in an office, laboratory or factory.

Travel

Travelling to meet suppliers and customers is common, and you may need to stay away overnight. Overseas travel may also be required as a lot of production takes place in southern Europe and east Asia.

UK employment status

Full-time

91%

Part-time

5%

Self employed

4%

Create a qualification route

We've found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.

Discover my route

Search course options

Thinking about your future? There are lots of courses available that could interest you. Use our course search to explore course options.

Find courses

Search job opportunities

If you're looking for your new career our job search can help you. Discover interesting opportunities and decide your next steps.

Find a job

Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Cooperating
  • Working with technology
  • Innovative
  • Problem solving
  • Researching
  • Developing a plan
  • Time management
  • Negotiating
  • Taking responsibility
  • Analysing

Skills Explorer

Your skills can help you choose the career that's right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.

To understand more, have a look at What are my skills?

Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.

Use the Skills Explorer tool

Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

A relevant degree (SCQF level 9/10) in subjects such as textiles, fashion, materials science or engineering, manufacturing, and experience in the textile industry.

There are few specialist degrees in this field and the University of Manchester offers most of these degrees.

To enter a textiles or fashion National Certificate, National Qualifications or BTEC course (SCQF levels 2-6) you will need at least three National 4/5 qualifications.

To enter a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) you will need National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or a relevant NC/NQ/BTEC.

To enter a degree (SCQF Level 9/10) you will require National 5 qualifications and a minimum of three highers or a relevant HND.

To enter a postgraduate course (SCQF Level 11) you will require a relevant degree.

Useful subjects

  • English (required by most courses)
  • Art & design(required by most courses)
  • Fashion and textile technologies (required by most courses)
  • Design and manufacture
  • Maths
  • Business management
  • Science subjects

You will also need

 You will require a portfolio for most courses. 

Helpful to have

Once in a job you can take further professional qualifications through the Textile Institute (TI).