Machine Operators in Woodworking and Wood Processing

(NOC 9434, 9437)

in All NS Occupations

This group includes machine-related jobs that require some skill and are generally performed inside a building. These workers assist with repairs and maintenance of machinery; feed conveyors and other equipment; handle materials; monitor machine operations; and clean work areas. Other machine operators in wood processing remove bark from logs, produce wood chips, preserve and treat wood, and produce wood products such as particle board, plywood, or veneer. They are employed in sawmills, pulp mills, planing mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing plants. Woodworking machine operators make and repair wooden parts for furniture and other wood products. They are employed in furniture, fixture and other wood products manufacturing establishments.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Estimate Decline employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 20 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All NS Occupations

Estimate Weak growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 33315 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2016

This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline moderately over the next few years, which will likely limit the number of new opportunities available. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Machine Operators in Woodworking and Wood Processing most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.

The median employment income for 60% of Machine Operators in Woodworking and Wood Processing who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $38,660. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

$12.80

Minimum

$19.00

Median

$24.52

Maximum

Annual Pay

$5,766

Minimum

$29,631

Median

$63,100

Maximum

Compared to: All NS Occupations

Hourly Pay

$11.00

Minimum

$19.89

Median

$40.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,872

Minimum

$29,983

Median

$83,126

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

This group includes machine-related jobs that require some skill and are generally performed inside a building. These workers assist with repairs and maintenance of machinery; feed conveyors and other equipment; handle materials; monitor machine operations; and clean work areas.

Other machine operators in wood processing remove bark from logs, produce wood chips, preserve and treat wood, and produce wood products such as particle board, plywood, or veneer. They are employed in sawmills, pulp mills, planing mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing plants.

Woodworking machine operators make and repair wooden parts for furniture and other wood products. They are employed in furniture, fixture and other wood products manufacturing establishments.

Job duties

Machine operators in this group perform some or all of the following duties:

Operate and tend various wood processing equipment and machines to remove bark, knots and dirt from logs; reduce logs or sawmill waste into wood chips or flakes; stack and band lumber; screen wood chips; and produce waferboards, particleboards, hardboards and insulation boards.
Operate and tend conveyors, lathes, sanding machines and other equipment to peel and slice veneer from logs and log sections, and to glue, press, trim, sand and splice veneer sheets.
Operate and tend kilns, treating tanks and other equipment to dry lumber and other wood products, and to treat chemically and impregnate wood products with preservatives.
Observe equipment, panel indicators, video monitors, and other instruments to detect malfunctions and ensure that processes are operating according to specifications.
Assemble plywood panels and repair plywood and veneer mechanically or manually.
Start up, shut down, set up, adjust and assist in maintaining processing equipment and machines as required.
Complete and maintain production reports.

Woodworking machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:

Set up, program and operate one or more computer numerically controlled (CNC) or manual woodworking machines such as saws, moulders, lathes, routers, planers, edgers, pressing machines, shapers, drills and sanders to fabricate or repair wooden parts for furniture, fixtures and other wood products.
Operate gluing machines to glue pieces of wood together or press and affix wood veneer to wood surfaces.
Operate preset special-purpose woodworking machines to fabricate wood products such as coat hangers, mop handles, clothes pins and other products.
Read and interpret specifications or follow verbal instructions.
May clean and lubricate equipment, and replace parts as necessary.

Sample job titles

chipper operator - wood processing
drill press operator - woodworking
lathe operator - woodworking
lumber kiln operator
machine plywood patcher
machine sander - woodworking
planer - woodworking
plywood press operator
power saw operator - woodworking
wood treater

Skills

To work in these jobs, you should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and a mechanical aptitude are important. You must be accurate and attentive to detail. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

Completion of some high school is usually required.
On-the-job training is usually provided.
Some college or company courses may be required for some jobs within this group.

Other considerations

These are largely rural jobs, and self-employment is not common. Generally, work is carried out in shifts at various hours of the day. Previous experience as a labourer within the same company is usually required as an entry point to this group of jobs. Mobility is common among jobs in this group. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

205

employed in 2016

85.7%

employed full-time

9.8%

self employed

6.8%

93.2%

N/A

median age

Compared to: All NS Occupations

427,305

employed in 2016

78.0%

employed full-time

10.0%

self employed

49.2%

50.8%

44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

27.3%

Southern

25.0%

Northern

15.9%

Cape Breton

15.9%

Halifax

15.9%

Annapolis Valley

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

50.0%

Wood Product Manufacturing

16.7%

Textiles, Furniture and Other Manufacturing

11.9%

Forestry and Logging

7.1%

Retail Trade

4.8%

Transportation and Warehousing

What is the age of Employment?

29.4%

55-64

17.6%

35-44

17.6%

25-34

17.6%

45-54

11.8%

65+

11.8%

15-24

Compared to: All NS Occupations

41.6%

45-54

28.6%

55-64

20.8%

35-44

5.2%

25-34

2.6%

15-24

Top levels of education

28.6%

College certificate or diploma

N/A

25.0%

Less than high school

$60,425 median annual income

23.8%

High school

$52,600 median annual income

19.0%

Trades certificate

N/A

4.8%

Bachelor's degree

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

38.1%

High school

$28,358 median annual income

22.9%

Less than high school

$21,011 median annual income

20.3%

College certificate or diploma

$36,968 median annual income

12.4%

Trades certificate

$37,356 median annual income

4.4%

Bachelor's degree

$36,852 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Siège Social: 1695, Route 1

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0

(902) 769-2114

Blanche.Theriault@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Adult Learning

PO Box 220

Halifax, NS B3J 2M4

(866) 679-6722

admissions@nscc.ca

Website

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Website

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Website

Machine tool technology/machinist

This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.

This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to plan, manufacture, assemble, test, and repair parts, mechanisms, machines, and structures in which materials are cast, formed, shaped, moulded, heat treated, cut, twisted, pressed, fused, stamped or worked.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College - Kingstec Campus

236 Belcher Street

Kentville, NS B4N 0A6

(902) 678-7341

kingstec.info@nscc.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Pictou Campus & School of Fisheries

PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue

Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0

(902) 752-2002

pictou.info@nscc.ca