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Machine Operators and Related Workers in Fabric, Fur and Leather Products Manufacturing
What they do?
Sewing machine operators sew fabric, fur, and synthetic materials to produce and repair garments/other articles. They also operate tackers, buttonhole makers, hemmers, and other machines.
A. Fabric cutters make parts for garments and other articles. They frequently use computer numerically controlled (CNC) cutting devices.
B. Fur cutters cut pelts to make parts for garments/other articles.
C. Leather cutters cut parts for shoes, garments, and other articles.
D. Hide and pelt processing workers trim, scrape, clean, tan, buff, and dye animal hides, pelts, and skins to produce leather stock/finished furs.
E. Inspectors and testers inspect and grade hides, pelts, leather, garments, and other manufactured fabric, fur, and leather products.
Where they find work?
1. Clothing manufacturing - 66.0%
2. Leather and allied product manufacturing - 6.0%
3. Textile product mills - 6.0%
4. Furniture and related product manufacturing - 5.0%
5. Miscellaneous manufacturing - 3.0%
6. Retail trade - 2.0%
7. Wholesale trade - 2.0%
What education do I need?
1. In general, you usually need some high school or a high school diploma.
2. You usually receive on-the-job training and may need previous experience.
3. To work as an inspector or tester, you must have experience in product manufacturing.
4. Most recent entrants have a either a trade/vocational certificate or a community college diploma.
High School Subject that will help:
1. Computer Basics - Word and Excel
2. English
3. Machine Shop
4. Family Studies (Home Economics)
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Machine Operators and Related Workers in Fabric, Fur and Leather Products Manufacturing is $10.59/HR, which is below average for occupations in the processing, manufacturing and utilities sector and are below average for all intermediate occupations. These wages grew at a below-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
11% of Machine Operators and Related Workers in Fabric, Fur and Leather Products Manufacturing are unemployed. This rate is above the average for intermediate occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Machine Operators and Related Workers in Fabric, Fur and Leather Products Manufacturing is considered Below Average because:
1. Employment grew at a below-average rate.
2. Hourly wages ($10.59) are below the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is also below average.
3. The unemployment rate (11%) is above the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Below Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be below average.
2. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Machine Operators and related Workers in fabric, Fur and Leather Products Manufacturing are found in Quebec and Manitoba while the lowest concentrations are in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.
Unionization Rate:
The unionization rate (26%) is close to the average (32%) for all occupations.
Useful Experience:
1. Machinery
2. Attention to details
3. Quality control
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
6% of Machine Operators and Related Workers in Fabric, Fur and Leather Products Manufacturing are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 59,600 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, a decrease of 16% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The older-than-average worker (44) will likely be offset by a later retirement age (64) resulting in an average retirement rate to 2009.
