Apprenticeship training course

Textile technical specialist (level 4)

Using specialist textile machinery and equipment to weave or to finish textiles.

• Qualification level: 4 ; Equivalent to higher national certificate (HNC).
• Typical duration: 24 months
• Apprenticeship category: Engineering and manufacturing
• Maximum funding: £9,000 ; Maximum amount government will fund ; for apprenticeship training.
• Also known as:
  • Finishing Manager
  • Finishing Technician
  • Production Managers
  • Technical Finisher
  • Technical Weaver
  • Textile Technician
  • Textile Technologist
  • Weaving Manager
  • Weaving Overlooker
  • Weaving Technician
• Skills:
  Skills an apprentice will learn

  • Work within, and contribute to, a safe, healthy and well managed environment, taking into consideration the appropriate health & safety legislation that affects textile manufacturing.
  • Develop working relationships in a manufacturing environment including listening skills around the machinery, effective communication skills with colleagues, identify improvements and interact confidently to ensure that production is achieved.
  • Configure and prove textile machinery to ensure fabric specification, input all mechanical/electronic settings to maintain quality and productivity. Make changes to machine capabilities for different styles/qualities.
  • Perform and make records of scheduled maintenance to ensure the efficiency of machinery meets production expectations and reduce malfunctions. Ensure continuing supply of spare parts to eliminate machine downtime and eliminate production losses, liaise with machine manufacturers to overcome performance limitations.
  • Read and interpret data from production records, specifications, data management, process planning meetings including job documentation and appropriate work instructions.
  • Accept changing priorities and work flexibly to meet company requirements. Work effectively with others in a team whilst maintaining effective working relationships. Accept that in textile production, the expectation to complete tasks within the job role affects the customer experience.
  • Develop and operate plans for their own work area in line with business practice. Work with Shift Managers to produce specialist, technical reports and data to reinforce results and decision making. Identify priorities that affect the running of production whilst ensuring organisational policies are met.
  • Rectify machine malfunctions and replace machine parts to tolerance settings. Maintain supply of spare parts to ensure production continuity. Carry out scheduled maintenance to machine manufacturer guidelines and lubricant specifications. Plan and forecast using known periods of peak time and downtime to maximise production with appropriate colleagues.
  • Utilise production scheduling timing and accuracy to ensure changeover of jobs, staff and machinery are managed and maintained efficiently and effectively, recognising how to forecast and plan.

Full information on Textile technical specialist (level 4) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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