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Garment technologist

Garment technologists choose the right fabrics and designs for manufacturers to make clothes at a set cost.

Annual Salary

£20,000 to £35,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

38 to 40 a week

You could work: evenings; occasionally

2.4%
Future employment

There will be 2.4% more Garment technologist jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In your day-to-day tasks you could:

  • 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

Working environment

You could work in a creative studio or in an office.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in garment technology or fashion design.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College

You could start with a college course before applying for a job as a garment technology assistant. Relevant courses include:

  • Level 3 Certificate in Fashion and Textiles
  • Level 4 Diploma in Garment Technology for Fashion Retail

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a fashion and textiles product technologist higher apprenticeship, or a technical textiles specialist higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work

You may be able to start as a garment technology assistant after completing a qualification in fashion or textiles. You would do further training on the job to become a technologist.

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the UKFT for technical advice, networking opportunities and professional development training.

Further information

You can find out more about working and training in garment technology through UKFT Futures.

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With experience, you could become a senior technologist, quality controller or technical production manager.

You could also move into research or teaching in a university fashion and textiles department.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • 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
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