An apprentice garment technologist provides technical help in garment manufacturing, from design to manufacture. They must be familiar with production techniques, fabric properties, cost management, and the capacity to work under pressure.
They work closely with designers, buyers, merchandisers, and the production team, providing advice on acceptable materials and building techniques, analysing returns, and ensuring that projects are delivered on schedule and under budget. Product technologists in larger firms may work as part of a team; product technologists in smaller companies may work alone.
Responsibilities
Throughout your apprenticeship, you may help:
- suggest changes to clothing pattern designs
- give advice on suitable fabrics
- make sure garments can be produced within budget
- oversee fabric testing and first sample fittings
- make sure that the correct garment construction methods are used
- respond to product queries
- analyse product returns and faults
- produce quality control reports.
Salary
- Apprentice garment technologist starting salary on average is £21,00 to £25,000 per year
- Experienced Garment technologist salary on average is £30,000 to £35,000 per year
- Senior Garment technologist salary on average is £45,000 to £50,000 per year.
Working hours
You will typically work 38 to 40 hours per week, occasionally working evenings.
Working environment
You could work in a creative studio or in an office.
Qualifications
Qualifications you can achieve as an apprentice garment technologist include:
- Level 4 Fashion and Textiles Product Technologist – Entry requirements for this level include 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship. This qualification will take 22 months to complete.
Skills
On a garment technologist apprenticeship, you’ll learn:
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- 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 competently.
Employers
A Garment Technologist may work for a high-street store or a large, medium, or small company that manufactures clothing, from menswear to baby products. They are often office-based, have access to production locations, work in a fast-paced environment, and are frequently required to travel both inside the UK and worldwide.
Professional development
Qualifications and short courses relating to this job role are offered by a number of awarding organisations including ABC Awards, City & Guilds, SQA, Pearson and UAL
Career Prospects
Experience might lead to a career as a Senior Garment Technologist or a move into a speciality area like ethical trade, quality or colour management systems, or a related profession like Buyer, Merchandiser, technical manager, or research within a university or analogous organisation.