Textile, Fibre and Yarn, Hide and Pelt Processing Machine Operators and Workers

(NOC 9441)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Textile fibre and yarn processing machine operators and workers use machines to prepare textile fibres; spin, wind or twist yarn or thread; and bleach, dye or finish yarn, thread, cloth or textile products. They work for textile manufacturing companies. Hide and pelt processing machine operators and workers trim, scrape, clean, tan, buff and dye animal hides, pelts or skins to make leather stock and finished furs. They work for leather tanning, fur dressing and leather and fur dyeing companies.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

  • Estimate 435 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1945 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$16.00

Median

$19.35

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,397

Minimum

$26,799

Median

$41,381

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$14.00

Minimum

$20.80

Median

$33.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Textile fibre and yarn processing machine operators and workers use machines to prepare textile fibres; spin, wind or twist yarn or thread; and bleach, dye or finish yarn, thread, cloth or textile products. They work for textile manufacturing companies. Hide and pelt processing machine operators and workers trim, scrape, clean, tan, buff and dye animal hides, pelts or skins to make leather stock and finished furs. They work for leather tanning, fur dressing and leather and fur dyeing companies.

Job duties

Textile fibre and yarn processing machine operators and workers:

  • Use and feed machines that wash, mix, blend, pick, card, lap, comb or draw fibres and finish yarn.
  • Run spinning, twisting, winding or reeling machines.
  • Use machines to bleach, dye, coat or finish fabric, thread, yarn or other textile products.
  • Mix dyes or chemicals according to established formulas.
  • Use machinery to print designs onto textile products.
  • Manage work area, examine products for defects and ensure adherence to quality standards.
  • Investigate machine stoppages and notify supervisor or mechanic of equipment failure.
  • May set up machines and help with maintenance and minor repairs to machinery.

Hide and pelt processing machine operators and workers:

  • Use machines or use hand and powered cutting knives to remove particles from hides, skins or pelts; shave or polish hides; and shear fur or wool hides to produce pelts with hair of specified or uniform lengths.
  • Prepare solutions according to established formulas and immerse hides, skins or pelts to clean, dehair, pickle, dye, oil, tan, soften and preserve.
  • Adjust rotation and mixing action of vats according to state of pelts.
  • Tint or dye furs to enhance natural shades of fur.
  • May maintain and repair vats and other machinery.

Sample job titles

  • autoclave tender
  • bleaching range operator
  • calender operator
  • carding machine operator
  • coater operator
  • dyeing range operator
  • fabric-printing machine operator
  • finishing range operator
  • leather buffer
  • leather stretcher
  • spinning operator
  • tanner
  • twisting operator
  • yarn doubler

Skills

  • You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and mechanical skills are important. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • On-the-job training is provided for up to several months, depending on the complexity of the process and the number of machines used.

Other considerations

  • Shift work may be typical for many of these jobs. Movement is possible within the group to operate more complex dye ranges and textile printing equipment. Movement to supervisory positions is possible with experience for fibre and yarn preparation machine operators and hide and pelt processing machine operators and workers. There is some Movement among jobs in this unit group. A college program in textiles, chemistry or a related subject is usually needed to move to supervisor positions in textile processing.

By the numbers

Quick look

185

employed in 2016

86.8%

employed full-time

5.3%

self employed

55.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
44.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.2

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
72.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

41.0%

North Shore

$34,636 median annual income
25.6%

Southern

$16,479 median annual income
17.9%

Cape Breton

$31,292 median annual income
10.3%

Halifax

N/A
5.1%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

84.6%

Manufacturing

7.7%

Wholesale trade

7.7%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

What is the age of Employment?

32.0%

55-64

21.0%

35-44

18.0%

25-34

16.0%

45-54

13.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

24.5%

45-54

20.8%

55-64

19.3%

35-44

16.5%

25-34

15.0%

15-24

Top levels of education

47.4%

High school

$34,709 median annual income
26.3%

Less than high school

N/A
10.5%

College Diploma

N/A
7.9%

Trade Certification

N/A
5.3%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

38.1%

High school

$28,505 median annual income
23.3%

Less than high school

$19,224 median annual income
19.9%

College Diploma

$38,781 median annual income
12.2%

Trade Certification

$43,975 median annual income
4.5%

Bachelor

$39,715 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Canadian Textile Industry Association
Ottawa, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.