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

Tasks of a clothing technologist/manager include:

• liaising with designers
• adapting designs to suit production methods
• making and sising pre-production garments
• sourcing fabrics and accessories
• undertaking quality evaluations of materials and checking the quality of the final product
• responding to product queries including complaints from wholesalers and customers

Clothing technologists make sure that garments meet quality standards while being manufactured by the most efficient and cost effective methods. To do this, clothing technologists must understand how the manufacturing equipment works. They must also know about materials and their suitability for different purposes.  
 
Technologists check that all manufacturing processes are running smoothly and they try to solve problems as they arise. They have to investigate why production targets are not being met, or why there are high rejection rates from the quality control department.  
 
When the design department produces a new product, technologists are involved in discussions about what is needed to manufacture the product effectively. For instance, extra attachments to machinery may be needed or staff may need further training.  
 
Technologists then plan and monitor the test production of a limited number of garments. Finally, the technologist may decide to alter the design so that it can be produced at a lower cost. This has to be done without moving away from the original idea.

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:

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.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

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.

Most entrants hold a relevant degree in production engineering, chemistry or physics. Post-graduate courses in textile technology are available.  It is possible to work your way up from operative and technician level jobs to become clothing technologist/managers.  

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Manufacturing Technician skills, Engineering, Quality management in centres around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Creative Textiles, General Engineering, Textile Design at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Lean Sigma, Engineering Apprenticeships at NFQ levels 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Textile for costume production. General Engineering, Manufacturing engineering, Textile & Surface Design and Jewellery & Objects courses at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Postgraduate Study Options Quality control, Engineering, and Management at NFQ levels 8-9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €55k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and experience

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

Last Updated: March, 2024

* 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).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

• Design & Crafts Council of Ireland

  • Castle Yard, Kilkenny
  • (056) 776 1804
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• Retail Ireland

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