How to become a Textile Mechanic

Textile mechanics set up, adjust and maintain machines used in the textile, clothing and footwear industries.

Personal requirements for a Textile Mechanic

  • Enjoy practical and manual activities
  • Good eyesight (may be corrected) and normal colour vision
  • Mechanical aptitude
  • Good hand-eye coordination
  • Able to work quickly to locate and fix problems
  • Good communication skills

Education & Training for a Textile Mechanic

To become a textile mechanic you usually have to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.


Duties & Tasks of a Textile Mechanic

Textile mechanics:

  • Use tools and instruments to set up machines
  • Start machines for trial runs to ensure they are running properly
  • Diagnose and fix processing faults on textile equipment
  • Inspect yarns and fabrics produced
  • Repair or replace faulty parts
  • Organise the smooth running of shifts and prevent problems from occurring
  • Adjust machine settings to meet design specifications.

Tasks

  • May erect machines and equipment on-site.
  • Sets guides, stops and other controls on machining tools, sets up and sets controls for textile machines.
  • Diagnoses faults and performs operational maintenance of machines, and overhauls and repairs.

Working conditions for a Textile Mechanic

Textile mechanics usually work shifts.


Employment Opportunities for a Textile Mechanic

Textile mechanics are employed by weaving mills and manufacturers of clothing, knitted products, textiles, footwear and carpet. The nature of a textile mechanic's job is changing with the introduction of computerised machinery. With experience, and sometimes further training, textile mechanics may progress to technician, supervisory or quality control positions.


Specializations

Knitting Mechanic

A knitting mechanic prepares patterning equipment that controls automatic knitting machines to produce a variety of knitted fabric and clothing, including hosiery, jumpers, shirts and underwear.

Sewing Machine Mechanic

A sewing machine mechanic assembles, adjusts, lubricates and repairs industrial sewing machines.

Spinning Mechanic

A spinning mechanic studies specifications to determine settings for machines that use materials ranging from raw fibre through to finished thread such as wool and cotton. They then install and align gears, arrange yarns on the machines and adjust machines to produce different types and thicknesses of yarn.

Tufting Mechanic

A tufting mechanic works on machines that produce tufted carpet.

Weaving Mechanic

A weaving mechanic works on machines that convert yarns into fabrics such as blankets, carpets, towels and clothing material.

Textile Mechanic

Textile mechanics set up, adjust and maintain machines used in the textile, clothing and footwear industries.

  • Average age
    Average age
    57
  • Future Growth
    Future Growth
    N/A
  • Gender Share
    Gender Share
    9% female
  • Average full-time
    Average full-time
    41 hours
  • Weekly Pay
    Weekly Pay
    N/A
  • Skill level rating
    Skill level rating
    Medium skill
  • Unemployment
    Unemployment
    Lower unemployment
  • Full-Time Share
    Full-Time Share
    62%
  • Employment Size
    Employment Size
    250
  • Employment Size
    Employment by state
    ACT: 1.1%
    NSW: 24.2%
    NT: 0.0%
    QLD: 20.6%
    SA: 5.1%
    TAS: 2.9%
    VIC: 41.2%
    WA: 5.1%
  • Employment Size
    Age brackets
    15-19: 1.8%
    20-24: 1.1%
    25-34: 8.3%
    35-44: 11.5%
    45-54: 26.6%
    55-59: 20.5%
    60-64: 13.3%
    65 and Over: 16.9%
  • Employment Size
    Education level
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 5.8%
    Bachelor degree: 6.6%
    Certificate III/IV: 57.4%
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 0%
    Year 10 and below: 19.8%
    Year 11: 1.6%
    Year 12: 8.9%
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