A Textile Knitting Technician operates and mangers knitting machines and systems that convert natural or synthetic yarn into knitted fabrics. They are responsible for the quality of the fabrics and productivity rates.

What would you do?

A Textile Knitting Technician performs operations related to setting up the knitting process. They prepare the machines for the knitting process and may use digital information technologies depending on the systems used. They may measure yarn length and mass to assess fineness and they know about yarn characteristics and properties. They monitor and control production in order to achieve fault free, quality fabric production within given deadlines and also maintain the knitting machines, conduct minor repairs and oversee machine servicing.

Day to day tasks include:

• Preparing knitting machines for production
• Following specifications and quality standards
• Selecting and assessing yarns
• Cleaning and maintaining knitting machines

Where would you work?

Textile Knitting Technicians are typically employed by large to medium textile businesses. They will work on the factory floor.

What would you be paid?

For a typical working week of approx. 39 hours

• A textile knitting technician starting salary on average is £18,000-£21,000 per year
• An experienced textile knitting technician salary on average is £30,000-£40,000 per year

Pay rates vary depending on age, experience, location and the size of the company. Additional benefits may include, company discounts, pension and health care. Many companies offer overtime and bonuses in order to meet deadlines.
Knitting Technician Apprenticeships: Employers, by law must pay the government’s apprenticeship minimum wage rate. Research show that many fashion and textile employers supplement this rate of pay. https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

Will you need qualifications or training?

Some form of relevant vocational training or experience is required. A Level 3 Knitting Technician Apprenticeship will be available from March 2020 for those wishing to train on the job.

Qualifications and short courses relating to this job role are offered by the a number of awarding organisations including ABC Awards, City & Guilds, Pearson, SQA and UAL, for more detail please follow the links.

Degrees and HNDs in fashion and textile and related subjects are also available and should be considering, particularly in preparation for a career in fashion. Click here to see all universities offering fashion degrees relevant to this job role.

What are the career prospects?

Experience could lead to success as Knitting supervisor or a career in product development, medical textile or knitted textile design.

How secure is the future of this career?

The UK’s world-class textile manufacture base is growing, thriving and continually investing. Sector employment continues to grow steadily from 97,000 in 2011 to 108,000 in 2016, with an added 19,500 self employed and research estimates the creation of 20,000 new jobs by 2020.
The number of UK textile & apparel manufacturing businesses has increased annually from 7190 in 2013 to 8075 in 2017 with forecast of further growth.
Textile goods exported across the globe continues to grow with export increases recorded at £250M in March 2016 to £273M in March 2017.
UK Fashion & textile manufacture covers traditional craft to technical textile and has a production value of £9.1 BN, add the wide fashion sector this increases to £28.1 BN sector – 4.7% of the total UK economy.
For further information go to: ukft.org

Where can you find job vacancies?

Vacancies are advertised across the UK with concentration in London, the Northwest, West Yorkshire and the Midlands. Check out the latest vacancies on the site below:

Indeed
Total Jobs
Reed
Drapers Jobs

Apprenticeship vacancies:

Some apprenticeship vacancies are ‘open to application’. With details on how to apply within the job vacancy details, these can be found on the job sites listed above Apprenticeship vacancies can also be found via the Find an Apprenticeship Service. For further information, advise and tips on how to apply for an apprenticeship vacancy see the UCAS site (England).

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship (Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales)

The websites above are external and the number of job vacancies may vary. Check daily to see new opportunities as they are posted!