Also known as textile technology, textile engineering has been creating waves in the recent times. The increasing popularity and demand for textile enthusiasts has generated umpteen job opportunities for textile engineers in varied fields. The coursework of textile engineering includes study lessons from other engineering streams, such as mechanical, chemical, materials, and industrial, apart from other fundamental course programs, the most important being thermodynamics, materials science, industrial management, applied mechanics, and engineering drawing and design. Textile technologists, when completely trained, can work in three different areas - research, design and development; production and quality control; and costumer service and sales.
Course Details
Aspirants, who desire to make a flourishing career in textile engineering, can take courses both at undergraduate and post graduate levels. Textile engineering/technology is generally offered as 4-year BE/B.Tech courses at the undergraduate level, wherein candidates who have passed the 10+2 examination in science stream, with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology, are eligible to apply. Admission to these courses is usually made through various written entrance examinations held across India. On completion of the BE/B.Tech degree, graduates have the option of looking for a professional career or seek admission in the 2-year ME/M.Tech programs, offered by a number of esteemed institutions in the country. Furthermore, PhD programs can be pursued to become an expert in the respective areas. Besides, the option of performing research work is always open for textile technology learners. This can be done by qualifying in the NET/JRF entrance examination held by UGC and CSIR jointly.
Career Prospects
Textile engineering, being a creative and inventive field, offers several career opportunities in diverse industrial sectors. And the constant entry of numerous fashion houses and designers in the apparel and textile industry, job prospects for textile engineers is on the rise. Product research and development, process engineering, sales, and corporate management and supervision are some areas to explore. Such professionals can look for attractive opportunities in textile mills, export houses, knitwear manufacturing units, textile dyeing and printing units, and a large number of government-sponsored and private silk, handloom, jute, khadi, and craft development organizations.
Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Being one of the largest industries in the world, textile industry has given rise to the establishment of a large number of institutes conducting programs in textile engineering. India, too, boasts of several universities/colleges offering textile engineering and technology courses. The most prestigious and prominent are: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi; University College of Engineering, Osmania University, Hyderabad; Institute of Textile Technology (ITT), Cuttack; Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Textile Management, Coimbatore; Technological Institute of Textile & Science, Bhiwani; Rajasthan Technical University, Kota; PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore; Jaya Engineering College, Chennai; DKTE’s Textile and Engineering Institute, Kolhapur; Government College of Engineering & Textile Technology, Murshidabad; and College of Textile Technology, Calcutta University, Hooghly.
Remuneration
Textile engineering offers a plethora of fields to explore, thereby demanding candidates with the right knowledge, expertise, skills, and experience. At the beginner’s level, textile technology graduates can expect a salary anywhere between Rs. 12,000 and Rs. 30,000 per month. Experience and skillfulness brings increment and reputation. With 2-3 years of relevant industrial experience, a textile engineer can easily be absorbed by leading organizations at a monthly remuneration of Rs. 50,000, or even more, with additional perks and benefits.
