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Textile operative

Alternative titles for this job include

Textile operatives spin natural and synthetic material into yarns and fabrics for use in clothing, furnishings and industrial products.

Average salary (a year)

£16,500 Starter

to

£24,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

41 to 43 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a textile operative

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

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

Entry requirements

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

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a textile manufacturing operative intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly for work. There are no particular requirements although experience in textile manufacturing or sewing machinist work will be helpful.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to work on your own
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • observation and recording skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this job, you will:

  • 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

Working environment

You could work in a factory or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be noisy.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could move into a machine maintenance job or quality control after further training. With experience, you might get promotion to become a production supervisor then shift manager.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a textile operative right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Beginners Textile Skills - Using Your Sewing Machine Create a Memory Pillow

  • Provider: CUMBRIA COUNTY COUNCIL
  • Start date: 03 November 2022
  • Location: Whitehaven

Textile Scrapbooks

  • Provider: Morley College
  • Start date: 25 March 2023
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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