Fashion and Textiles Product Technologist

On a fashion and textiles product technologist apprenticeship course, you’ll help oversee the product development cycle.

A fashion and textiles product technologist collaborate with sewn product manufacturers, footwear manufacturers, brands, and retailers to create various products such as clothes and fashion, leather goods, shoes, soft furnishings, marine, and medical textiles. 

You will also provide production instructions and ensure that production patterns are in place so that the manufacturing process can begin and end on schedule and budget.

You’ll be in charge of the technical and marketing components of the product development cycle in a fast-paced environment. You may work as part of a team in a larger company, but you will have more independence in a smaller corporation.

What you’ll learn

On a fashion and textiles product technologist apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

• Analyse, evaluate, and cost the fabrication of submitted designs and identify any constraints.
• Create samples in line with the design, end-use, and specifications.
• Take part in fittings and production meetings.
• Examine product samples for quality, fit, risk, and production procedures, including size, shape, materials, timescales, and costs.
• Evaluate product risks such as safety, colour, cost, time, appropriateness for purpose, and manufacturing method.
• Approve samples and, if required, assign sample seals while maintaining a complete record of the sealing operation.
• Supervise material and product testing and analyse test results, such as performance, function, wash, and wearer/user trials.
• Ensure that they meet all legal and regulatory criteria, such as import norms, safety standards, and trade laws.
• Analyse product returns and develop workable solutions, such as altering materials or re-cutting a design.
• Complete analysis reports
• Manage quality concerns and eliminate possible difficulties, such as fabric, trim, and construction flaws.
• Help to resolve production issues such as thread breakage and missing components.
• Collaborate with warehouse and distribution systems and processes to ensure that things are delivered securely and on schedule.
• Maintain accurate work records and use communication channels.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent.
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment comprises two distinct assessment methods: 

• Work-based project 
• Test

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 4 Fashion and Textiles Product Technologist Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page