Engineering and manufacturing
Textile manufacturing operative
Using machinery to spin natural and synthetic material into yarns and fabrics.
Summary
Textile manufacturing operatives work in the manufacturing sector. They make or provide services for textile materials such as cotton and silk fabrics, or woollen yarns and cloth. They may be used in clothing, home and interiors sectors, and many other products.
Employers range in size, mainly small-medium. They work in a manufacturing facility.
Textile manufacturing operatives use specialist machinery to produce textile materials. This might involve processes such as blending, carding, coating, dyeing, inspection and testing, printing, spinning, scouring, twisting, and warping, weaving and finishing.
They also complete quality checks, prepare materials for the next stage in the process and complete work records. Conducting basic machine maintenance is also part of the role. They also contribute to maintaining the work area and improvement work.
They work with other members of the production team. They may also have contact with people from other functions for example, quality, engineers, and warehouse staff. They may work alone or as part of a team, under supervision.
They must ensure that their work meets quality requirements and supports production plans. They must work to health and safety rules. This may include wearing personal protective equipment. They must also support sustainability. For example, by minimising waste and recycling.
Typical job titles include
- Beamer | Blender | Carder | Coater | Colour matcher | Cone winder | Creeler | Dyer or dye house operative | Early stage processing operative | Finisher | Gaiter | Knotter | Loom operative | Scouring or range operator | Spinner or spinning operative | Textile multi operative | Textile preparation operator | Textile production operator | Tufter | Twister | Warper or warping operative | Weaver or weaving operative | Winding operative
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
The textile manufacturing operative role and responsibilities. Escalation procedures.
K2:
Different functions in the textile supply chain: pre-and-post operations.
K3:
Awareness of health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance: Control of Noise at Work Regulation, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), dust standards, fire safety - hazards and prevention, Health and Safety at Work Act, Health and Safety ISO45001, safety equipment: guards, signage and fire extinguishers, occupational health, safety signage, slips and trips, working at height, working in confined spaces, working time regulation.
K4:
Health, safety and environmental practice: safe systems of work, hazards and risks, isolation and emergency stop procedures, manual handling, personal protective equipment (PPE), situational awareness, and housekeeping.
K5:
Impact of British Standards for the Safe use of Textile Machinery on operative’s role.
K6:
Impact of environmental regulations on operative’s role: Environmental Protection Act, Environment ISO14001, and Energy ISO50001. The impact of textile manufacturing process operations on the environment.
K7:
Sustainability principles: efficient use of resources to reduce environmental impact, re-use, recycling, and the safe disposal of waste requirements.
K8:
Different types of textile manufacturing practice.
K9:
Performance targets and data.
K10:
Work organisation and time management techniques.
K11:
Operating procedures (specifications, job sheets) – what they are and why they are important.
K12:
Different types and sources of raw materials used in textile manufacturing and how they impact on production.
K13:
Range of textile manufacturing processes - key features.
K14:
Stock requirements: control systems.
K15:
The function of different textile manufacturing equipment.
K16:
Textile manufacturing internal and external quality standards.
K17:
Manufacturing documentation requirements.
K18:
Equipment and machinery basic maintenance requirements.
K19:
Common faults and issues in textile manufacturing: machinery, raw materials, and process error. Problem solving techniques.
K20:
Basic continuous improvement techniques.
K21:
Digital technology in the industry: management information systems and equipment digital interfaces.
K22:
Information technology. General data protection regulation (GDPR). Cyber security.
K23:
Principles of good team working.
K24:
Principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
K25:
Communication techniques.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0458: Textile manufacturing operative (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0458
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £27,212 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 8112 Textile process operatives
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 8112/00 Textile process operatives
- 5223/11 Textile machine technicians
S1:
Read and interpret information for example, standard operating procedures, manuals, production plans, handover notes.
S2:
Organise and prioritise own work.
S3:
Follow health, safety and environmental procedures in line with regulations, standards, and guidance.
S4:
Apply sustainability principles for example, minimise energy usage, minimise waste, and recycle materials.
S5:
Follow operating procedures.
S6:
Check resources.
S7:
Check and set up equipment and machinery.
S8:
Conduct start-up quality checks.
S9:
Feed textile product components into the machine.
S10:
Monitor manufacturing process; adjust parameters for example, speed, temperature.
S11:
Conduct in-process production quality checks (roaming).
S12:
Conduct final inspection quality checks.
S13:
Prepare output for next stage for example, label, package.
S14:
Monitor own performance data.
S15:
Collect and record information: text or data - paper based or electronic.
S16:
Identify and segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
S17:
Follow basic maintenance procedures for example, clean, oil and lubricate machinery.
S18:
Identify and resolve common faults and issues.
S19:
Escalate issues.
S20:
Identify opportunity for continuous improvement.
S21:
Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with cyber security.
S22:
Apply team working principles.
S23:
Communicate with others for example, colleagues, customers, and managers.
S24:
Carry out and record learning and development activities.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0458: Textile manufacturing operative (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0458
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £27,212 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 8112 Textile process operatives
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 8112/00 Textile process operatives
- 5223/11 Textile machine technicians
B1:
Put health and safety first.
B2:
Consider the impact on the environment when using resources and carrying out work.
B3:
Take ownership for the quality of given work.
B4:
Team-focus to meet work goals.
B5:
Support an inclusive workplace for example, respectful of different views.
B6:
Adapt to changing work demands.
B7:
Seek learning and development opportunities.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0458: Textile manufacturing operative (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0458
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £27,212 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 8112 Textile process operatives
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 8112/00 Textile process operatives
- 5223/11 Textile machine technicians