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Textile operative
Textile operatives spin natural and synthetic material into yarns and fabrics for use in clothing, furnishings and industrial products.
Average salary (a year)
£16500
Starter
£24000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
41.0 to 43.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
between 8am and 6pm
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
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
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-course
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
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
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
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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
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 & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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