This occupation is found in sewn product manufacturers, footwear manufacturers, brands and retailers. They can be involved in the production of a wide range and variety of products, from clothing and fashion to leather goods, shoes, soft furnishings, marine and medical textiles.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide technical support throughout the product development process and ensure approved samples with specifications; production instructions and production patterns are in place so the manufacturing process can commence and be completed by the required date and within budget.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation could interact with designers, senior managers buyers, merchandisers, warehouse managers, pattern cutters, sample machinists, quality control and production managers, and customers; this will depend on the size of the company. They will be responsible for technical and commercial elements of the product development cycle in fast moving environment. In larger firms product technologists may work within a team, in smaller firms the product technologist will experience a significant degree of autonomy. Summary of Standard https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/fashion-and-textiles-product-technologist/ Full Standard https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/media/2305/st0540_fashion-textiles-product-technologist-epa_for_publication_2-october-2018.pdf
