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Central Control and Process Operators in Manufacturing and Processing
What they do?
Central control and process operators run and monitor multi-function process control machinery/equipment to control the processing of mineral ores, metals, and cement.
Petroleum, gas, and chemical process operators run and monitor petroleum, petrochemical and chemical plants, and monitor, adjust, and maintain processing units/equipment.
Pulping and papermaking control operators control the processing of wood, scrap pulp, recyclable paper, and other cellulose materials to produce pulp/paper by operating and monitoring multi-function process control machinery/ equipment.
Where they find work?
1. Oil and gas extraction - 19.0%
2. Primary metal manufacturing - 17.0%
3. Paper manufacturing - 16.0%
4. Chemical manufacturing - 11.0%
5. Petroleum and coal products manufacturing - 9.0%
6. Support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction - 5.0%
7. Wholesale trade - 3.0%
What education do I need?
1. In general, you need a high school diploma.
2. You usually need formal company training, on-the-job training, and several years' experience as a machine or process operator in the same company or department. You may also need a college diploma in a related field.
3. You may need an industrial first-aid certificate.
4. To be a petroleum, gas or chemical process operator, you may need a college diploma in process operation, science, or a related subject as well as various certificates and licences.
5. To be a pulping control operator, you may need a college or other program in forest products processing or a related subject.
6. Most recent entrants have a community college diploma, and almost 3 in 10 have a undergraduate university degree.
High School Subject that will help:
1. Math
2. Mechanics
3. Computer-related courses
4. Industrial Arts (Electronics)
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Central Control and Process Operators in Manufacturing and Processing is $23.96/HR, which is above average for occupations in the processing, manufacturing and utilities sector and are above average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at a below-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
2% of Central Control and Process Operators in Manufacturing and Processing are unemployed. This rate is below the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Central Control and Process Operators in Manufacturing and Processing is considered Average because:
1. Employment grew at an average rate.
2. The retirement rate is above average, and the number of retiring workers contributes to job openings.
3. Hourly wages ($23.96) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is below average.
4. The unemployment rate (2%) is below the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be close to the average.
2. The retirement rate will likely be above average and the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely exceed the number of job openings.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Central Control and Process Operators in Manufacturing and Processing are found in Alberta and Saskatchewan while the lowest concentrations are in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Unionization Rate:
The unionization rate (53%) is above the average (32%) for all occupations.
Useful Experience:
1. Machinery
2. Monitoring
3. Attention to details
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
1% of Central Control and Process Operators in Manufacturing and Processing are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 20,500 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, a decrease of 15% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be above average because of a tendency to retire at an earlier-than-average age (58).
