Garment technologist
Help turn designs into clothes that people want to buy and wear. Advise designers about different fabrics and how clothes can be efficiently made.
About the job
What it's like
You would help turn designs into clothes that people want to buy and wear.
You’d select and source different fabrics for a designer to use. You’d explain to a designer how clothes can be made in the most efficient way.
You’d have specialist knowledge of:
Production methods such as stitching and pattern-cutting
Different textiles and their properties
Manufacturing processes for clothes
Fashion and retail
The design and buying teams will rely on your expertise through all stages of product development from design to testing and then manufacturing the clothes for the shops.
You would:
Suggest changes to designs
Advise on suitable fabrics
Make sure that the clothes are made in the best way
Check that the garments can be produced within the budget
Oversee fabric testing and fittings of first samples
Respond to product queries
Analyse product returns and faults
You would work closely with other staff such as designers, pattern cutters and graders, and buyers.
Hours
You would work around 38 hours a week, but may sometimes need to do extra hours, for example to make sure collections are produced on time.
Environment
You would work indoors.
Travel
You would travel to meet with customers and suppliers and visit manufacturers. This would often include visiting overseas manufacturers, for example in the Far East or Southern Europe.
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Creative
Top skills
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It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- new product development
- adobe illustrator
- textiles
- prototyping
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- understanding
- analysing
- time management
- taking initiative
- implementing ideas
- attention to detail
- working with numbers
- problem solving
- creative
- cooperating
Your skills are important
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Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Design and Manufacture
Fashion and Textile Technology (Home economics)
Practical Craft Skills
Skills for Work: Textiles Industry
You would need a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or degree (SCQF level 9/10) in a subject such as fashion design and manufacture.
You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) with National 5 qualifications and one Higher or a relevant NC/NQ/BTEC.
To enter a Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) you will need National 5 qualifications and one to two Highers or a relevant NC/NQ/BTEC or HNC.
To enter a degree (SCQF level 9/10) you will require a minimum of four Highers at BBBB or a relevant HND qualification.
Qualifications and experience that show an understanding of creative industries, retail and manufacture such as Skills for Work Creative Industries (SCQF level 5) or Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Fashion and Heritage Textiles (SVQ level 2/3).
Entry to some courses will also require a portfolio.
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