Textile Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Textile Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job
Textile mills are located in nearly every state, but the industry is concentrated in the southeastern states. North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia together employ more than half of all textile workers. The northeastern states and California are also centers for some types of textiles. Most employees in the textile industry are production workers. Some do handwork, but most operate machines. In some cases, a worker may have several or even hundreds of machines to operate.
Textile mills use a variety of raw materials. Cotton and synthetic fibers such as nylon or polyester are the most widely used fibers. Other natural fibers including wool and linen are also used. The process of creating finished textiles from raw materials consists of many steps. Some of the basic steps are spinning, weaving or knitting, dyeing, and finishing. Some mills do all these steps, while others do one or two. Many of these steps are now done with computers, which have greatly decreased the amount of time it takes to complete the production process.
The textile production process begins with the preparation of the fibers for spinning. Fibers are combed and carded, and short fibers are removed. Fibers are drawn out into long pieces that look like rope to make them stronger. Many different kinds of textile workers run the machinery that does this work. They feed and start the machines, stop them, clean them, and repair broken fiber ends.
Most employees in the textile industry are production workers who operate one machine, several machines, or hundreds of machines. Textile products include clothing, household linens, carpets, flags, and upholstery materials.)
These workers are called opener tenders, picker tenders, card tenders, drawing frame tenders, and roving tenders.
Frame spinners operate machines that spin the fiber into yarn. These machines draw out and twist the ropes of fiber into yarn, which is wound around cones called bobbins. Frame spinners manage rows of spinning frames. They twist the fiber ends, repair breaks in the fiber ropes, and clean the machines regularly.
Once the fibers have been spun into yarn, the yarn is ready for weaving or knitting. These are two different processes that require different kinds of machinery and are usually done in separate plants. Most textiles are woven. Several different kinds of workers prepare the yarn for weaving. They include loom winder tenders, spooler tenders, warper tenders, slasher tenders, and warp tying machine tenders. These workers place the yarn on the machines and thread it into place. They tie yarn ends and monitor the machines to make sure they are running properly. When the yarn is finished, they remove it and send it on to the weavers. Weavers are skilled workers who sometimes run as many as 200 looms at a time. The looms weave or interlace the yarn at right angles to make woven cloth. Sometimes there are as many as 2,000 looms in a single weaving room. The weavers watch the looms, fix breaks in the cloth, and repair minor problems with the looms. Major repairs or adjustments are made by loom fixers.
Many different types of textiles are being knitted every year. Highly skilled knitter mechanics set up metal patterns in knitting machines. The machines can produce bolts of fabric or finished garments such as underwear or stockings. Knitting machines have a series of needles that loop the yarn together. Knitting machine operators load the machines with yarn. They must tie broken yarn ends and watch their machines closely. Each worker usually tends several machines at a time. Knitting machine fixers are called in to fix the machines if they break down.
Once textiles have been either woven or knitted, they are ready for dyeing and finishing. The formulas used to dye textiles are developed by dyers. Other workers such as dye weighers and dye ranger operators mix the chemicals and dyes and run the machines that dye and dry the fabrics. Textiles are often printed with patterns. Printing can be done in several different ways. In one method known as rotary screen printing, a screen cylinder allows just the right amount of dye to come through onto the fabric and print the design. Colorists, screen printing artists, screen makers, and screen printers are needed to print designs on textiles. After the fabrics are dyed and printed, they are often finished to keep them from shrinking, wrinkling, or soiling easily. Special workers operate and maintain the machines that take care of these processes.
Besides the many different kinds of production workers, the textile industry also employs specially trained artists, professionals, and technical workers. Textile designers decide the type of weave and the thread count of a woven fabric or the design to be knit into a knitted fabric. They choose the fiber content of the yarn, and the finish, color, or printed design. Textile engineers are usually supervisors or managers. They may be in charge of an entire textile mill or of one system in a plant. Textile technicians hold a variety of different jobs. Some work on the electronic controls of complex knitting machines. Others help research and develop new ways of processing fibers. Many technicians work in the dyeing and finishing departments of textile mills. In addition, the textile industry employs those who work in management, clerical, and maintenance jobs.
Education and Training Requirements
Most production jobs in the textile industry can be learned in a few weeks to several months. Employers generally prefer to hire people who have a high school education. While some mills start new workers as the helpers of experienced employees, others hold formal classes for the newly hired. There are a few special apprenticeship programs for weavers, dyers, loom fixers, and other specialized workers. These programs may take from two to four years to complete, and they usually combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training.
Textile technicians often get their jobs after several years of experience as machine operators. In other cases, they qualify for the job after graduating from a two-year college or technical school that offers training in textile technology. Professional workers such as designers, engineers, and managers usually need to be college graduates. There are several colleges and technical institutes that offer special programs in textile engineering, textile management, textile design, and textile chemistry. Also, many textile companies provide special training programs for college graduates.
Getting the Job
The best way to get started in a production job in the textile industry is by applying directly to textile mills. Your state employment office may know of job openings. Sometimes companies list openings in newspaper want ads or post job openings on a sign outside the plant. Your school placement office may also be able to help you find a job.
Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook
Production workers in the textile industry can advance by becoming supervisors of other workers. Some become instructors who teach new workers to run machinery. Others become technicians. Most companies have training programs for workers who want to move into more skilled jobs. Sometimes textile companies pay part or all of the tuition for job-related courses.
Textile technicians can also move into jobs as supervisors or instructors. With further education, they can become managers or engineers. Managers and engineers sometimes advance into high-level executive positions in the textile industry.
The job outlook in the textile industry is poor through 2014. Although the demand for textiles is likely to increase, competition from foreign imports and the use of synthetic fibers and computer-integrated machinery are expected to limit the number of new jobs. Those with technical skills and computer training should have the best opportunities.
Working Conditions
Working conditions are generally good in the textile industry. Newer mills have temperature and humidity controls, while older mills may have inadequate lighting and poor ventilation. Most employees work with machinery, which is often noisy, but the accident rate is fairly low in the textile industry. The work-week is usually forty hours long, although some workers, especially those in the southeastern states, work forty-six to forty-eight hours per week. Most textile mills have around-the-clock operations and run three shifts. The work is generally steady in the textile industry. When production slowdowns occur, most mills shut down for one or two days a week instead of laying off workers. Only about 7 percent of all apparel and textile workers belonged to labor unions in 2004.
Earnings and Benefits
Wages for textile production workers depend on the job, the kind of plant, and the location. Some workers are paid according to the number of finished products, but most receive an hourly wage. Benefits often include paid holidays and vacations, health insurance, and retirement plans.
User Comments Add a comment…
10 months ago
M.TABISH KHAN » TABISH_INNOCENT ((at)) HOTMAIL dot COM
i am a textile associate engineer.i have done the 3 year diploma in textile weaving from the (institute of textile tecnology & management)karachi.i have 17 months experience as a q.c & yarn analyst in feroze textile mills(towels manufacturere) where my designation is executive officer.
my responsibilites there are:
1)To analyze completely dyed cones from dyeing dept (washing fastness,strength,count,C.L.S.P,T.P.I.
2)To Test the tensile strength of the fabric (grey & finished).
3)To complete analysis of fabric (count, reed/picks, dimension, G.S.M).
4)To have knowledge on (ISO CO3, ISO CO4, AATCC-08, AATCC-20A, AATCC-61, ASTM-D3775, ASTM-D3776, ASTM-D5034).
now i want to job aboard.iam waiting for reply from any reputed textile mill.Please send me new opportunities in any country.my email address is TABISH_INNOCENT@HOTMAIL.COM.
THANKS
10 months ago
Ahmed Maher » ahmedsabet22 ((at)) gmail dot com
i''m work as Q.A inspector in office ,i finish my Bsc 2002 ,i work as Q.C for one year ,and 7 year as Q.A and i''m intrested to work as Q.A in USA or EUROP ,CANADA,ASTRAILA
Thanks
Best Regards
AHmed Maher
waiting ur feedback soooooooon
11 months ago
Thomas » thomasellimotil ((at)) gmail dot com
I have 30 years of experience textile (maintenance& spinning).I hold diploma in textile technology.Please send me new opportunities in any country.Thank You
MY email address is thomasellimootil@gmail.com
12 months ago
parth sarathi ganga » parth_ganga ((at)) yahoo dot co dot in
I have complited three years diploma in handloom technology from indian institute of handloom technology(gov.of india,ministry of textile.i have a three year experiance in Raymond ltd worsted as a officer in finishing and one year working in century textile &industry ltd mumbai
cotton
about 1 year ago
ashok oberoi » ash1oberoi ((at)) yahoo dot com
presently i m working with mayur suiting
as sr.executive in fabric processing . my area in processing is finishing i have also gd knowledge about weight reduction and dyeing i have good knowledge in finishing. i have good knowledge fabric quality fabric process as per fabric quality and having good knowledge of fabric finishing m/c.iwant to go in aboard iin any area
about 1 year ago
Atul bhatnagar » ansil_3 ((at)) yahoo dot com
PRESENTLY I AM WORKING AS A GENRAL MANAGAR IN A TEXTILE COMPNEY IN INDIA . I HAVE 16YRS EXPERIENCE OF TEXTURISING POLYESTER FILAMEINTS YARN AT DIFFERENT TYPE TEXTURISING M/C'S. AND LOOKING A GOOD JOB OUT OF INDIA . I AM REDY TO MOVE IN ANY CONTURY OF THE WORLD.
about 1 year ago
TARBIR SINGH BHATTI » tarbir_rana ((at)) rediffmail dot com
I am diploma holder in textile technology[spinning]and having 19years
experience in different spinning mills.Please help me to find job in Canada in my field as my wife is in Canada.
Thanks in advance
about 1 year ago
santosh » ps_dahake ((at)) rediffmail dot com
I AM B.TEXT & HAVE 5 YEARS OF EXPERIANCE IN COTTON SPINNING MILLS WANTS TO WORK IN A REPUTED COMPANY ANYWHERE IN INDIA OR ABROD
about 1 year ago
chetan » csuraiya ((at)) yahoo dot com
I have 19 yrs exp in Dyeing and processing of fabrics,complete knowledge of handling factory,have good technical knowledge and textile diploma holder from Samira Mumbai.presently working in South Africa want suitable job opening In India or Abroad.Contact csuraiya@yahoo.com
about 1 year ago
chetan » csuraiya ((at)) yahoo dot com
Hi,I am a textile Dyehouse manager ,having sound technical knowledge of dyeing and finishing of Textiles having 19 yrs Exp.I have done My BSc.Chemistry and have a textile diploma done from Sasmira Instituteof textile technology, Mumbai.Have thorough expertise in handling all production related work.Presently I am in South Africa and would like a better oppurtunity In India Or Abroad.
about 1 year ago
Ashraf uddin ahmed » ashraf_apex75 ((at)) yahoo dot com
i have 7years experience in textile wet processing of yarn dyeing,I have too much interested to join any europian dyeing companey.I am the post graguate of textile chemistry and able to control a dyeing section top to bottom.
about 1 year ago
mukesh » m dot vashishta ((at)) yahoo dot com
I am working as Dyeing Manager with 19 years exp in Textile Processing & Dyeing.I want a suitable job in India or Abroad.
about 1 year ago
Mustaqeem Khan » shahindus2 ((at)) gmail dot com
I have done B.com as well as i have 3 years certificate of Weaving from "SMS Rizvi Textile Institute" and also i have 1 year certificate of merchandiser from "Textile for technology"I have 6 years experience in Textile Continantal Textile or Towellers limited.I have 3 years experience in Weaving dept as production manager in Continantal Textile and right now i am still merchandiser in Towellers limietd now i m intersted in Canada textile sector i want to show my full efforts and all technology overther.Thanx I am waiting the answer from reputable Textile mill
about 1 year ago
KAMALESH KUMAR SAXENA » saxena_kamalesh2005 ((at)) yahoo dot co dot in
I HAVE 13YEARS EXPERIENCE IN TEXTILE YARN SPINNING PLANT.PRESENTLY WORKING AS A SPINNING MASTER IN SPINNING DEPARTMEN OF A REPUTED TEXTILE MILL IN INDIA.WILLING TO WORK IN A TEXTILE MACHINE MANUFACTURING COMPANY OR TEXTILE MACHINE PARTS MANUFACTURING COMPANY AS A SERVICE ENGINEER.I ALSO LIKE TOURING JOBS
about 1 year ago
mike » ijazkhokhar777 ((at)) yahoo dot com
I HAVE 18YEARS EXPRNCE IN DIFFERENT WEAVING MILLS(AIR JET)BOTTOM TO TOP LEVEL MNGMNT,SPCLY TO RUN SICK UNITS.
CRRNTLY I M LIVING IN FL USA.SEEKING
ANY GOOD JOB IN USA OR CANADA
about 1 year ago
Muhammad Shaban » msj_shaban ((at)) hotmail dot com
I am Final Year Student diploma of Associate engineering in Textile Spinning 2006 Bacth From Govt. Collage Technology Site Karachi having 7 years experience in Textile Spinning Quality Control Depart I have Complete Knowllage Uster Quantum ,Capable & Controll Fancy Yarn & Melange Yarn I Can't Continued My Study Becuse I had Some Financially Problems,Currently I Work Salfi Textile Mills Ltd. Hx-1 Landhi Industrial Area Karachi, looking for better openings in same field
about 1 year ago
Sukanto Nandi » sukantonandi ((at)) sify dot com
I did B.Sc(Maths), MBA (HR), ATA(spinning) from Textile Association of India. One year back i cleared GMTA Part2 exams from Textile Association of India. one and half year to go i would complete my textile graduation programme also. I have Eight years highly focused Quality Assurance expertise with various reputed companies in textile sector with competency in Ring & Rotor Spinning since 2000. I am interested in QA jobs too in USA, Canada, Europe, South Africa, Australia & Middle East. I am waiting for your response.Thanks
about 1 year ago
Krishna R » krishna_rao143 ((at)) rediffmail dot com
I am diploma in textile engineering having 12 years experience in weaving department worked for Alok, Arvind Mills, looking for better openings in same field
about 1 year ago
Akhter Ahsan » akhterahsan ((at)) hotmail dot com
I have done my B. Tech (Textile) from Indus Institute of Higher Education, Karachi.I have about 8 years experince in TEXTILE WEAVING FIELD. i m Expert of all type of dobby design (Plain Fabric & Terry Towel design)and spacielist in all type of RAPIER LOOMS.
Now i am looking a job in USA, CANADA $ UK.
i m waiting for your reply.
about 1 year ago
S.M.Raquib Imtiaz » smraquib ((at)) hotmail dot com
I am a Textile Engieer(4 year course after 12 class). I am 25 years old.I did my major in dyeing and wet processing. I obtained ist class all through. I am working for the last one year as technical executive in a Denim factory. I am interested in marchanding jobs too in USA, Canada, Europe, South Africa, Australia & Middle East. I am waiting for your response.
about 1 year ago
FADI BHAI » FADI_NAUGHTY ((at)) YAHOO dot COM
I WANT TO BECOME TEXTILE DESIGNER
about 1 year ago
RAMANATHAN KR » ram_vicky ((at)) hotmail dot com
I AM TEXTILE TECHNOLOGYST WITH 22 YRS EXPERIENCE IN COTTON SPINNING MILLS IN INDIA.READY TO WORK AT WHERE .
about 1 year ago
atif sattar » atifsattar27 ((at)) hotmail dot com
hi i did my BSc textiles from Preston university kohat pakistan.i have one year experience in a spinning mill.now i am looking for a job in usa, canada or uk.i am waiting for your reply thanks
about 1 year ago
C.Dinesh » dinesh_cp2004 ((at)) yahoo dot co dot in
I am C.Dinesh, did my B.tech TEXTILE technology in Psg College of Technology. Currently working as Research Fellow in IIT-delhi, Am interested in NON WOVEN COMPANY
about 1 year ago
MUHAMAD ARSHAD » m_arshad_master ((at)) yahoo dot com
I Am Textile F.M.D Diploma Holder in Government Weveinn And Finishing Insititute Shahdhra Lahore With Three Year Diploma Since 28Years and Passed High Second Division .Throughout Servis Different Textile Dyeing and Finishing Mills .My Experince in Woven Cloth Blend (Cotton/polyester) Dyeing and Finishing. I Want To Work As Dyeing or Finishing process Master in Textile Dyeing industiers.I SERVE ONLY IN CANADA.I'm WAITING FOR YOUR RESPONES THANK's
about 1 year ago
SIDRA SARFRAZ » sidi_saffi ((at)) hotmail dot com
Asalamolakium i ve done B.Sc in TEXTILE designing from College of HOME ECONOMICS .i want to work as designer in fabric in textile industry....THANK u..
about 1 year ago
Kamran Ahmed Khan » kakhan74 ((at)) yahoo dot com
I have done D.A.E in mechanical and related with textile field. i have 4 years experience in MASA tex and 10 year experience in ECKO textile mills in Karachi Pakistan as a senior weaving technician.I want to jon in canada/USA/UK and i am waiting for your response thanks.
about 1 year ago
Sohaib Khalid » txtileguru ((at)) gmail dot com
I did my textile engineering (BS H) in WEAVING from pakistan and i want to serve textile industry where ever in this world
im waiting for your response
Thanks
about 1 year ago
Mohammed Shahinul Haque » haque70 ((at)) yahoo dot com
I am B.Sc. Textile Technologist, Training in International Cotton School, Texsas,USA. Experience 15 years in cotton and cotton spinning and Quality Assurance. Now I want to work in USA any cotton firm or textile industry.
about 1 year ago
Amardeep Singh Lohcham » adlohcham ((at)) yahoo dot com
I am a Textile Engineer,with 15 years of experience (presently working in Nigeria)I have worked with Trident group for 10 years,in India( it is the 5th largest producer of Terry Towels in the world, exporting majority of it to States)I AM LOOKING FOR AN OPENING IN USA /CANADA
about 1 year ago
hudson » hudson ((at)) hotmail dot com
Please oblidge???? OBLIDGE??? The word is 'oblige' and is hardly used on planet earth anymore.....what exactly do you mean by 'please oblidge'
about 1 year ago
yasir mushtaq ahmad » yasir dot mushtaq dot ahmad ((at)) gmail dot com
As, I've just finished my BSc. Textile Engineering (Spinning) while securing 80.7% overall marks. My studies include a three month's training with Nishat Textile Mills Ltd, Faisalabad. This said training was part of my Final Project having the tiltle "Study of Working Conditions for 16s Carded Yarn at Unit No. 3, Nishat Textile Mills Ltd, Faisalabad.I want to serve as a technologist in the spinning industries in usa.please oblidge
about 1 year ago
K.K.SUGUMAR » sugutex ((at)) yahoo dot co dot in
I am a textile diploma holder with more than 21 years field experience in various spinning mills, with hands on experience in latest spinning machineries and in the process of 100% cotton, synthetics and blends yarn spinning. Pl help me to get a suitable placement in usa.
about 1 year ago
madhumita upadhyaya » madhu dot upadhyay ((at)) gmail dot com
I am a textile designer with managerial experience in a textile unit. I want to work as designer in fabric in textile industry.
about 1 year ago
asif ramzan » a_textilian ((at)) yahoo dot com
i am textile engineer from pakistan and want to serve as a technologist in the spinning industries in usa.please oblidge
over 2 years ago
Muhammad Yahya » Yahya786 ((at)) yahoo dot com
I am textiles designers in weaving.
I want to work in textiles fabric designs