This project will investigate the training pathway and supply barriers impacting textile mechanics within Australia’s Textiles, Clothing and Footwear sector. The relevant qualification currently has no active RTO delivery despite there being a critical shortage of textile mechanics, with only a small number operating in each state and many nearing retirement. This project will evaluate current workforce demand, explore systemic constraints to training delivery, and identify viable delivery models to secure this critical specialist capability.
Click across the tabs to view active and completed project stages. Consultation takes place at every stage of the project.
About the project
TextileWorks, in partnership with Skills Insight, is undertaking a review of textile mechanic skills and training pathways in Australia’s textiles, clothing and footwear sector.
This project will investigate current and future demand for textile mechanic skills, barriers affecting training delivery and uptake, and practical options to support viable, industry-backed training and career pathways.
The review will consider why the existing training pathway is not widely known or used, and why no registered training organisation is currently delivering the MEM31822 Certificate III in Engineering – Textile Mechanic qualification.
It is not intended to develop a new qualification; instead, it will examine how existing pathways can be better supported, delivered and understood by industry.
Why this work is important
Textile mechanics are essential to maintaining specialised production machinery across Australia’s textiles, clothing and footwear industries. Their expertise supports safe, efficient and reliable operations, as well as productivity and business continuity.
Industry data and feedback indicates that:
This review will help identify what is needed to strengthen awareness, training access and long-term workforce resilience for this occupation.
Consultation
Consultation will be central to the review.
Skills Insight and TextileWorks will seek input from a broad range of stakeholders, including (but not limited to):
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:
Expected outcomes
The project will produce an evidence-based review of textile mechanic skills and pathway issues.
The final report will include:
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 more information or to participate in consultation activities, please contact Louise Fitzpatrick at [email protected].
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This stage has not yet commenced.
During the development stage, key stakeholders, including subject matter experts, are engaged and consulted to gather further information and begin investigating potential solutions.
This stage has not yet commenced.
At the broad consultation stage, we present and discuss potential solutions, collecting feedback from a wide range of stakeholder across the country. It follows consultation with various stakeholders that has already taken place throughout the project.
This stage has not yet commenced.
As part of consensus gathering, we check our work with stakeholders to confirm that solutions are in line with expectations.
This stage has not yet commenced.
At the finalisation stage, final checks are conducted and the outcomes of the project are submitted to the Department for consideration. Following this, outcomes are published or enacted.
This Skills Insight JSC project is being managed with the support of FibreSkills as part of their collaborative partnership with Skills Insight. FibreSkills has an enduring and strong connection working with the forestry, timber, paper, fibre and furnishing industries and have been engaged by Skills Insight to deliver this project in partnership.