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Textile operative

Alternative titles for this job include Spinner, loom operator

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

Average salary (a year)

£22,000 Starter

to

£29,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 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

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course, which may help when you start looking for work.

Courses include:

  • textiles
  • fashion and textiles

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a Textile Manufacturing Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship with a textiles production company.

This can take between 1 and 2 years to complete and combines on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.

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 textile operative roles.

Though not essential, it could be useful to have experience in:

  • textile manufacturing
  • sewing machinist work
  • knitting machinist work

More Information

Career tips

You could do short courses at an adult education centre or online to learn about the properties of different textiles and fabrics.

Further information

You can discover more about careers in textiles from UKFT Futures.

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
  • observation and recording skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a textile operative, you could:

  • set up production machinery and enter instructions
  • operate machine looms that knit, weave and loop threads together
  • prepare fibres and make sure they're combed, cleaned and twisted into yarns
  • spin fibres and wind them onto 'bobbins' or cones
  • monitor production, record machine data and report any problems
  • treat fabrics to make them stain or crease resistant
  • carry out quality checks and 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 could get promoted to a production supervisor then shift manager.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Textile Manufacturing Operative Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £21,450 a year Annually
  • Location: Huddersfield

Textile Operations Apprentice

  • Wage: £15,600 a year Annually
  • Location: NEW MILL, HOLMFIRTH
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Fashion / Textile Design - Level 3 UAL Extended Diploma

  • Provider: RIVERSIDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2026
  • Location: WIDNES

Fashion & Textile Design | UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Practice | Level 3

  • Provider: CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Worthing
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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