Garment technologist
Garment technologists check the quality of designs, fabrics and products that are sent to manufacturers for production.
Also known as: Clothing technician, textiles technician
- Starter salary£23,000 a year
- Experienced£35,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a garment technologist, you could:
- advise on suitable fabrics for products
- suggest changes to clothing pattern designs
- make sure garments can be produced within budget
- oversee fabric testing and first sample fittings
- make sure the correct garment-making methods are used
- work with suppliers and manufacturers
- analyse product returns and faults
- update workbooks with instructions for garments' construction stages
- produce quality control reports
Working environment
You could work in a creative studio or in an office.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to work well with your hands
- knowledge of maths
- the ability to analyse quality or performance
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a garment technologist
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in garment technology or fashion design.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You could complete a college course before applying for a job as a garment technology assistant. Courses include:
- fashion and textiles
- garment technology for fashion retail
- T Level in Craft and Design
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You can apply to do an apprenticeship with a design studio or manufacturing firm, such as:
- Fashion and Textiles Product Technologist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Technical Textiles Specialist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work
You may be able to start as a garment technology assistant after completing a qualification in fashion or textiles. You would do further training on the job to become a technologist.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a senior technologist, quality controller or technical production manager.
You could also move into research or teaching in a university fashion and textiles department.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the UKFT for technical advice, networking opportunities and professional development training.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleFashion design assistant
- Job roleSewing machinist
- Job rolePattern cutter
- Job roleDressmaker
- Job roleTailor
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0