Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

The Work

• Inspects and analyses fabrics
• Manages the quality of materials
• Employes various production methods used in the manufacture of clothing
• Creating products in response to briefs.
• Dyeing and printing textiles.
• Testing materials and products for suitability and performance in various conditions.
• Providing solutions to problems and making amendments.
• Advising designers and manufacturers about textile/fabric properties.
• Controlling production and standards.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
• Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
• Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
• Confer with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas.
• Identify target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
• Attend fashion shows and review garment magasines and manuals to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.
• Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.
• Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.
• Adapt other designers' ideas for the mass market.
• Purchase new or used clothing and accessory items as needed to complete designs.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Relevant degree subjects for entry into the profession include: Mechanical, Manufacturing and Production Engineering, Clothing and Textile Technology, Chemical and Applied sciences, Materials and Polymer sciences.

A postgraduate textiles/clothing qualification could be beneficial, as is work experience within the industry.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Engineering, Manufacturing in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Fashion, textile design, Creative textile, Engineering at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Engineering, Lean Sigma Management, Sales Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Engineering, Arts, Design & Textiles NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Postgraduate Study Options Engineering, Arts, Design& Textiles NFQ level 9

Professional Organisations Training or networking events:

Design & Crafts Council of Ireland

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €53k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale / Morgan McKinley/ Indeed

Last Updated: April, 2023

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment numbers grew between 2021 and 2022, they remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. A higher-than-average share (39%) employed in these roles were non-Irish citizens.

Vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland were primarily for general and production operatives, while vacancies for general and packaging operatives were identified as difficult-to-fill in the Recruitment Agency Survey. The perceived attractiveness of the job (e.g. shift work) may be a contributing factor in terms of recruitment issues for this occupation.

• London College of Fashion

  • 20 John Prince's St. London, WIG OBJ
  • +44 (0)20 7514 6000
  • Click Here

• Design & Craft Council of Ireland

  • Castle Yard, Kilkenny
  • (056) 77 61804
  • Click Here