|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
|
A colour technologist is involved with the science and technology of colour application and its subsequent performance.
Colour technologists are involved in most sectors of the manufacturing industry, from cars to cosmetics. They produce dyes and pigments for textiles, paper, cosmetics and foodstuffs, and develop high technology dyes for applications in dye lasers, liquid crystal displays, fraud prevention, and ink-jet printers, ensuring quality, performance and reproducibility of colour.
Some colour technologists develop highly sensitive dyes for biomedical applications, such as fluorescent staining, and protein and nucleic acid assay. They may also study associations between perception and colour for use, for example, in marketing.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Colour Technologist - Normal Activities |
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
UK |
|
|
 |
| |
|
-
Colour technologists work on the development, application, measurement and perception of colour. Technologists who work on dyes and pigments are responsible for developing new materials and modifying existing ones. During the manufacture of products such as paints, plastics and cosmetics, they may perform an analytical role, ensuring accurate reproduction, even application, and durability. In the retail sector, they may liaise with suppliers and end users about, for example, the co-ordination of product ranges.
As all these particular roles require specialised knowledge or training, colour technologists' day-to-day activities depend on their exact role, but tasks
might include:
- Overseeing the instrumental measurement of colour and the accurate communication of colour to computer-aided design (CAD) systems;
- Identifying colours required by clients and developing processes for accurate bulk reproduction;
- Developing new dyes and pigments to provide specified colours, meeting the demands of new applications, and offering innovation to customers;
- Formulating dyes and pigments with stability in new substrates or across a range of technologies;
- Testing new and rival products to establish claims for marketing and promotion to clients;
- Keeping up to date with advances and developments in colour science through technical journals, conferences and meetings;
- Monitoring colour reliability during production of dyes and pigments and application to products by using the naked eye and colour measuring equipment;
- Anticipating the colourfastness and stability of dyes and pigments, alone and in sample products, under simulated conditions over typical life-spans;
- Refining processes for the production of dyes, pigments, etc. for economy and to minimise environmental impact;
- Liaising with factory production managers and providing technical support to dyers and other colouring agent users;
- Selling dyes, pigments and coloured products and acting as a link between producers, suppliers and end users;
- Working in small groups and managing the work of technical assistants;
- Responding to the needs of internal and external suppliers and customers.
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Colour Technologist - - Job Entry Requirements |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
UK |
|
Relevant degree/HND subjects include physical/mathematical/applied science and engineering, although a number of entrants, particularly in the textile sectors, do enter via design-orientated routes. In particular, the following subjects may increase your chances:
- Colour Science;
- Analytical Chemistry;
- Production/Manufacturing Engineering;
- Applied Chemistry;
- Chemical Engineering;
- Chemistry;
- Applied Physics;
- Physics;
- Biomedical Sciences;
- Textile Technology.
An honours degree may be sought by some employers and relevant industrial experience would be an advantage.
The University of Leeds offers a BSc (Hon’s) degree in Colour and Polymer Chemistry.
Entry without a degree or HND is possible. Starting as
a technical assistant, you may be able to progress to more advanced work after appropriate experience and further vocational qualifications.
The Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) also offer professional qualifications, of which the Associate-ship is of honours degree standard and is awarded following a written examination. Many of the less specialised positions are, however, being replaced by computer technology.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not needed. However, an MSc in Colour Science or Technology can be advantageous if your first degree is in chemistry or physics.
Postgraduate courses in colour chemistry are offered at the University of Leeds and Heriot-Watt University.
There are also postgraduate courses in aspects of colour technology for graduates whose previous studies included little or no coverage of the subject. A PhD is often required for research positions.
Pre-entry experience is not needed but any work experience in an appropriate environment would be advantageous. Potential candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
- Good colour vision, for shade and colour matching;
- Technical skills (required for all roles);
- Ability to plan, organise and work in a team;
- Flexibility to adapt to the needs of customers or business objectives because research projects may change at short notice.
Competition is moderate for those with a good relevant degree with some work experience, as there are comparatively few specialised graduates. Larger organisations look for additional personal skills and qualities. It is a good idea to try to get vacation or other work experience in the colour or textile industry. Large companies often recruit in the spring term, but vacancies occur throughout the year. |
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Colour Technologist - -Training |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
UK |
|
|
Graduate careers in larger companies start with a formal training scheme lasting about 12 to 24 months, which consists of a series of short placements designed to develop technical and commercial knowledge and expose you to real business situations. You may also attend courses or spend time in other departments to gain an insight into other functions within the company and to develop business awareness and professional skills.
Technical training will mainly come on the job, supported by either internal or external short courses which are provided through the professional bodies and equipment suppliers, as well as technical meetings.
Companies usually support both candidates without degrees who wish to gain equivalent qualifications and graduates who wish to study for professional qualifications, such as chartered colourist status (C.Col). Assessment for C.Col by The Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) requires skills development to a high level, which is expected to be provided by employers.
Colour technologists need to be kept up to date with research techniques and new technical developments, so many employers will support activities, such as attendance at conferences or meetings and publication of research, that promote this development.
Although not essential for career development, MBA’s may be supported by employers, usually on a part-time basis, later in a career.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Colour Technologist - - Career Development |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
UK |
|
|
Career structures vary from one employer to another, but there are often clear grades of technologists.
Initially, graduates will work in hands-on functions to gain an understanding of the technical nature of the work. They take on increasing amounts of responsibility for projects and will begin to manage the work of other technologists, eventually becoming senior technologists.
Ten to 15 years after graduation it is usual to go into departmental management. Alternatively, technologists attracted by higher salaries, different challenges and the option of focusing on areas of interest may choose, after a few years' technical and management experience, to become consultants, or form their own specialist companies.
Technologists may also move into production, quality control, marketing, technical sales, or research and development, but this may require an additional
research degree.
The colour industry is heavily dependent on experienced and skilled technologists for the constant development of new products and processes and to improve existing ones. In order to retain qualified and experienced staff, employers provide opportunities for promotion and development, although these may involve more commercial roles or management of technical teams rather than hands-on technology.
Career development in international companies may depend on your being prepared to take on projects or secondments overseas. In smaller companies or departments, career progression may depend on the availability of senior posts, so it may be necessary to change employer to secure promotion.
Most employers will support the assessment process (some provide extensive support) towards chartered colourist (C.Col) status which is advantageous, although not essential, for more senior posts.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Colour Technologist - - Salary |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
UK |
|
|
- Range of typical starting salaries: £14,000 - £20,000 for technician roles and £20,000 - £26,500 for graduates, depending on the employer, relevance of work experience, and class of degree (salary data collected Oct 06).
- Range of typical salaries at senior level/with experience (e.g. after 10-15 years in the role): £28,000 - £40,000, depending on the role, and £50,000 plus for consultants (salary data collected Oct 06).
- Salaries are competitive for the chemical industry as a whole. Larger chemical companies pay graduates better on average than smaller, specialist employers, although these may offer earlier responsibility and opportunities to remain in preferred technical areas.
- Salaries in the retail sector are slightly higher than in technical roles.
- Technologists usually work nine to five. However, this may vary with the sector, and deadlines or special projects will require longer hours, sometimes at short notice. Shifts are common in manufacturing, so technologists who are involved in dye, pigment or product manufacture may need to work occasional shifts to monitor production.
- Manufacturing can be noisy and the large-scale production of colour products is often messy. The technical side of the work depends on specialist equipment.
- Self-employment is not appropriate for new graduates unless they have developed a specialism through further study. Experienced colour technologists who have developed special expertise might work as freelance consultants. There are a number of consultants currently advising production units in the Middle and Far East.
- Part-time work is possible at the employer's discretion, as are career breaks, although colour technologists considering a break should plan to keep their technical knowledge and skills up to date through contact with their employer or a professional body.
- Job availability is generally restricted geographically by the location of the relevant industries: manufacturing is mostly in the North-West, Yorkshire, and Scotland; retail is in London, the North-East, and the Midlands; printing inks are in London.
- There are currently more men than women occupying technical roles, although this does not reflect any preference from employers, who offer positions on merit.
- Many of the large dye and pigment manufacturers are international and may offer overseas placements or opportunities to work in teams based overseas.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Colour Technologist -- Industry Bodies |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
UK |
|
-
Can U Cut It?
-
Colour Group
-
Skillfast UK: The Sector Skills Council for Apparel, Footwear, Textiles and Related
-
Businesses
-
Skillfast-UK (Just the Job)
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Colour Technologist -- Reading Reference |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
UK |
|
AGCAS
- Handling Discrimination, AGCAS Information Booklet, Biennial
- Manufacturing Sector, AGCAS Sector Briefing, Biennial
- Options with Chemistry, AGCAS Options Series, Biennial
- Options with Physics, AGCAS Options Series, Biennial
- Science Sector, AGCAS Sector Briefing, Biennial
- Chemistry World, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Monthly
- Coloration Technology, The Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC), 6 times a year
- Directory of European Dyers Printers and Finishers, World Textile Publications Ltd,
- Biennial
- Drapers, EMAP Retail, Weekly
- International Dyer, World Textile Publications Ltd, 11 issues pa
- New Scientist, Reed Business Information, Weekly
- Review of Progress in Coloration (RPC), The Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC),Annual
- Surface Coatings International, Oil and Colour Chemistry Association (OCCA), 14 issues pa
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Colour Technologist - - Directory |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
UK |
|
- Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
Davis Building, 165-189 Railway Terrace, Rugby CV21 3HQ
Tel: 01788 578214
cms.icheme.org
Oil and Colour Chemistry Association (OCCA)
Priory House, 967 Harrow Road, Wembley HA0 2SF
Tel: 020 8908 1086
www.occa.org.uk
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA
Tel: 020 7437 8656
www.rsc.org
Science Engineering and Technology (SCENTA)
10 Maltravers Street, London WC2R 3ER
Tel: 020 7557 6411
www.scenta.co.uk
The Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC)
PO Box 244, Perkin House, 82, Gratton Road, Bradford BD1 2JB
Tel: 01274 725138
www.sdc.org.uk
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Colour Technologist - - Jobs Resurces |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
UK |
|
Recruitment agencies commonly handle vacancies. Check out the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Online Directory of Recruitment Consultancies to search for agencies by type of vacancy and location. |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Colour Technologist - - Current Jobs Vacancies |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Colour Technologist -- Sample CVs and Resumes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
UK |
|
CV Samples For: |
coming soon..... |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
