How Do I Become a Textile Technician?

Become a textile technician through a combination of education and training. Most of the training necessary to become a textile technician occurs on-the-job, so it is valuable to seek out experienced technicians to help you learn about the trade. There are many types of jobs available in this area so it is important to explore the various types of career paths in order to find the best fit. An interest in the textile industry is also an important factor needed to become a textile technician.

A high school diploma is normally required to become a textile technician, but this is not always necessary. For certain positions, education is required, but for a general entry-level position, most of the training occurs while working the job. There are textile programs available at trade schools, community colleges and four-year undergraduate institutions if you are interested in a more complicated or managerial position in textiles. Graduate degrees are also available if you wish to pursue further education and advance more quickly in the field.

Since much of the training for these positions occurs on-the-job, it is necessary to find a position at a textiles company in order to learn. There are textile plants located in many major cities, so the process involves filling out applications and submitting them according to the specific policies of the organization you are applying with. Once accepted at a position, try to find a person with experience who can help you learn about the job as quickly as possible. This also provides good references for the future if you intend on changing jobs at some point.

Shadowing people in various positions can help you find a job that is the best fit for you. There are textile technician jobs in the areas of design, manufacturing and sales. Other parts of the business include trend watching, fiber development and quality control. These jobs are very different and appeal to different types of personalities, so it might be helpful to see them firsthand before committing to education or training in any specific area.

A desire to work with textiles is of major importance when determining whether to become a textile technician. Working in textiles sometimes involves working in a textile plant on the floor and operating complicated equipment, so an interest in equipment and machinery is also important. Many of these jobs involve working with your hands so it is necessary to enjoy this type of work before committing to a position.