In the textile industry, a textile technician is responsible for a variety of tasks. Textile product design, production, and quality control are among these functions. Technicians may work as machine operators, supervisors, or as assistants to fashion designers. To qualify for such a position, most people only need a high school diploma.
Textile technicians can be found working in a variety of major industry establishments. Some may work in textile mills, which convert natural or synthetic materials into fiber, yarn, and thread, which are then spun into cotton or polyester fabrics. Fibers, yarns, and threads are used textile product mills to make carpet, upholstery, and other materials. Fabrics are used in the apparel manufacturing industry to create clothing and accessories.
Textile technicians are frequently employed in manufacturing operations. A textile technician may be a sewing machine operator or a machine operator for dyeing, cutting, shaping, and assembling fabrics, depending on the type of textile industry. A technician who works as a machine operator may also be trained to make shoe materials. Experienced technicians will frequently supervise production operations in a warehouse that produces and stores raw materials and finished goods. Quality control may also be a role for textile technicians.
Textile mechanics, while not technically textile technicians, work in the textile industry, inspecting and repairing the machines that create products. Engineers and engineering technicians assist in the development of new equipment as well as the enhancement of existing equipment. Computers and automated machinery are also required in the textile industry, which must be maintained certified individuals.
A textile technician may work on the design of clothing or other fabric products. The creation of designs and patterns for use as prototypes, or models, for mass production of finished products falls under this category of work. Fashion designers may hire these people to help them with this process so that their products, even when mass-produced, are of high quality.
Textile technicians frequently receive on-the-job training. A standard high school diploma or its equivalent is usually all that is required for entry-level positions in production operations. It’s possible that specific training or educational certifications will be preferred or required if the textile technician’s work involves computerized equipment or specialized systems.