A textile operative works in a technical or clothing textile factory, operating the machinery used to make yarn, fabric and other textiles.

The Work

You could be:

• using machinery (often computerised) to prepare raw fibre (natural or synthetic)
• overseeing more than one machine at a time
• loading the fibre to be turned into yarn into machinery to clean, comb and twist it
• using a machine to spin the raw material into yarn
• using a machine to weave the yarn into fabric
• using machinery to finish the fabric by colouring it, printing on to it or giving it special treatments to make it heat, crease or stain resistant, for example
• producing technical textiles for use in other industries, such as construction or automotive
• keeping production areas clean and tidy.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Starting pay is often based on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or the National Living Wage (NLW).

As of 1 April 2024 the National Minimum Wage is £6.40 an hour for workers under 18, £8.60 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20. The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over is £11.44 an hour. With experience hourly rates can be more.

You may be able to increase your take home pay through piecework (when you are paid for what you produce) and bonus schemes.

Conditions

• You would usually be based in a factory warehouse environment.
• The work involves a lot of bending and stretching.
• It may be warm, humid and dusty, though most modern factories have good ventilation and dust extraction systems.
• Machinery can be noisy.
• You wear protective clothing such as overalls, masks and ear protectors.
• You may work shifts, including nights, and sometimes overtime.

Useful Subjects

• Fashion and Textile Technology
• SfW Textiles Industry

Getting In

• You do not usually need formal qualifications, although a good general education is useful.
• You may get direct entry to a job.
• You may enter through a training scheme such as a Modern Apprenticeship which could lead to a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) at SCQF Level 5.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

What Does it Take?

You need to have:

• excellent communication skills
• excellent attention to detail
• good practical skills.

You need to be able to:

• understand and follow health and safety rules
• work accurately with your hands
• concentrate while you are doing repetitive tasks
• adapt to new processes and machinery
• work with others and on your own.

Training

• Training is usually on the job, working alongside an experience operative.
• You may be able to gain an SVQ in Manufacturing Textile Products at SCQF Levels 5 or 7.

Getting On

• With experience you could move on to become a supervisor.
• You might be able to move into quality assurance, machine maintenance or other technical positions.

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.