As the textile industry becomes more highly automated, operators will need to understand the complex machinery and be able to diagnose problems. Because textile machinery is increasingly controlled electronically, many operators will need good computer skills. Self-direction and interpersonal skills will become increasingly important for textile machinery operators. Business attitudes promoting teamwork and fewer levels of management offer operators greater responsibility and the opportunity to take more initiative in running the production facility. Textile machinery operatives can advance in several ways.
Some workers become instructors and train new employees.
Others advance by taking positions requiring higher skills and greater responsibility. First-line supervisory positions usually are filled from the ranks of skilled operators. The textile industry will continue to undergo change. Greater productivity through the introduction of laborsaving machinery and changing business practices are expected to help the industry better compete in the global marketplace. However, these changes mean that employment of textile machinery operators is expected to decline through the year 2005.