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Machine Operators and Related Workers in Pulp and Paper Production and Wood Processing
What they do?
Sawmill machine operators control automated equipment to saw, trim, and plane rough lumber, and saw and split shingles/shakes.
Pulp mill machine operators run and monitor screening equipment, digesters, mixing tanks, and other machinery to produce pulp.
Papermaking machine operators run and monitor various papermaking and finishing equipment/machinery.
Paper converting machine operators fabricate and assemble paper products such as paper bags and boxes.
Other wood processing machine operators remove bark from logs, produce wood chips, preserve/treat wood, and produce waferboard, plywood, and similar wood products.
Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders inspect and grade lumber, shingles, particle board, and similar products as well as classify products according to industry standards.
Where they find work?
1. Wood product manufacturing - 54.0%
2. Paper manufacturing - 35.0%
3. Forestry and logging - 2.0%
4. Wholesale trade - 2.0%
5. Furniture and related product manufacturing - 1.0%
What education do I need?
1. In general, you usually need a high school diploma.
2. Employers usually provide on-the-job training and may provide formal training.
3. You may need experience in operating various machines as a labourer or utility maintenance worker.
4. You may need an industrial first-aid certificate.
5. To be a pulp mill machine operator, you may need a college diploma in forest products processing or a related subject.
6. To be a wood processing or sawmill machine operator, you may need college or company courses.
High School Subject that will help:
1. Math
2. Computer Basics - Word and Excel
3. Machine Shop
4. Social Studies
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Machine Operators and Related Workers in Pulp and Paper Production and Wood Processing is $18.55/HR, which is close to the average for occupations in the processing, manufacturing and utilities sector and are above average for all intermediate occupations. These wages grew at a below-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
4% of Machine Operators and Related Workers in Pulp and Paper Production and Wood Processing are unemployed. This rate is below the average for intermediate occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Machine Operators and Related Workers in Pulp and Paper Production and Wood Processing is considered Average because:
1. Employment grew at a below-average rate.
2. Hourly wages ($18.55) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is below average.
3. The unemployment rate (4%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be below average.
2. The retirement rate will likely be below average, and the number of retiring workers should not contribute significantly to job openings.
3. 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 Pulp and Paper Production and Wood Processing are found in New Brunswick and British Columbia while the lowest concentrations are in Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan.
Unionization Rate:
The unionization rate (62%) 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 Machine Operators and Related Workers in Pulp and Paper Production and Wood Processing are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 64,300 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 30% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be below average because of a tendency to retire at an older-than-average age (64).
