TextileWorks, in partnership with Skills Insight, is undertaking a review of textile mechanic skills and training pathways in Australia’s textiles, clothing and footwear (TCF) sector. The review will investigate workforce demand, training pathway challenges and potential approaches to supporting this critical specialist occupation.
Textile mechanics play an important role in keeping textile, clothing and footwear production machinery operating safely and efficiently. However, industry has raised concerns that this workforce is small, ageing and difficult to replace. Employers have also reported challenges in finding workers with the right mix of mechanical, technical and production knowledge.
About the project
This project will investigate the current and future need for textile mechanic skills, barriers affecting training delivery and uptake, and possible approaches to supporting sustainable training and career pathways for the sector.
The review will focus on gathering evidence to better understand current challenges and identify practical options for the future. It is not a project to develop a new qualification. Instead, it will examine how existing pathways can be better supported, delivered and understood by industry.Â
Why this work is important
Textile mechanics support critical production capability across Australia’s textiles, clothing and footwear industries. Their expertise helps ensure specialised machinery operates safely, efficiently and reliably, supporting productivity and business continuity.
Industry feedback indicates that:
- there are very few textile mechanics working in Australia
- many current workers are nearing retirement age
- employers find it difficult to attract new workers into these roles
- the existing training pathway is not widely known or used
- no registered training organisation is currently delivering the MEM31822 Certificate III in Engineering – Textile Mechanic qualification
- the small and geographically dispersed workforce makes training delivery difficult
- the role and career pathway is not well understood by potential learners, schools or employers.
This review will help build a clearer picture of workforce demand and identify what is needed to support viable, industry-backed training and career pathways for this specialist occupation.
What the project will examine
The project will investigate:
- current and projected demand for textile mechanics across Australia
- the types of textile mechanic roles and skill needs found in different workplaces
- barriers affecting employer uptake of existing training pathways
- barriers affecting delivery by registered training organisations
- factors affecting delivery and uptake of the MEM31822 Certificate III in Engineering – Textile Mechanic qualification
- whether current training products meet industry needs
- possible low-volume delivery models that could support a small and specialised workforce
- ways to support entry pathways, skills transfer and career progression
- opportunities to improve awareness of textile mechanic careers and attract a broader range of workers, including women, apprentices and career changers
- how the role can be made more visible and accessible to a broader workforce
- opportunities to support priority learner cohorts and improve participation in training pathways.
The project will also consider how recommendations may affect employers, workers, unions, training providers, industry bodies, Jobs and Skills Councils and other stakeholders across the training system.
Consultation
Consultation will be central to the review.
Skills Insight and TextileWorks will seek input from a broad range of stakeholders, including:
- textiles, clothing and footwear employers
- current textile mechanics and maintenance workers
- workers interested in moving into specialist maintenance roles
- unions
- registered training organisations
- industry associations
- technical experts
- machinery suppliers and maintenance specialists
- state and territory training authorities and other relevant organisations.
Consultation may include interviews, surveys, focus groups, webinars and online discussions.
Stakeholder input will help test the evidence, identify barriers, understand workforce needs and explore whether potential pathway and delivery options would be practical for industry and training providers.
Key questions for stakeholders
The review will seek feedback on questions such as:
- How many textile mechanics are currently working in the sector?
- Where are textile mechanic skills most needed?
- What skills and knowledge are required in different workplace settings?
- What makes it difficult to recruit or train textile mechanics?
- Why is the existing training pathway not being widely used?
- What factors make training delivery difficult for registered training organisations?
- What would make training delivery viable for small learner numbers?
- What role could employers, training providers and industry bodies play in supporting the pathway?
- How can the pathway attract new workers, including women, apprentices and career changers?
- What support would help workers develop portable skills across the sector?
Expected outcomes
The project will produce an evidence-based review of textile mechanic skills and pathway issues.
The final report will include:
- a summary of workforce demand and skills needs
- key findings from research and consultation
- analysis of barriers affecting training delivery and uptake
- information about current and possible future pathways
- options for viable low-volume delivery models
- practical recommendations to support future decision-making.
The findings will help industry, unions, training providers and government better understand what is needed to sustain textile mechanic capability and support long-term workforce resilience within Australia’s textiles, clothing and footwear sector.
Get involved
We welcome input from employers, workers, training providers, industry representatives and other stakeholders with an interest in textile mechanic skills and training pathways.
Your feedback will help shape the evidence base for this review and inform recommendations to support future decision-making for the sector.
For updates and consultation opportunities, please subscribe to our newsletter using the link above. Alternatively, please contact the Project Manager, Louise Fitzpatrick, by email at lfitzpatrick@forestworks.com.au.
Louise Fitzpatrick
Project Manager
ForestWorks
lfitzpatrick@forestworks.com.au
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