Plastic Products Assemblers, Finishers, and Inspectors

(NOC 9535)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

This group includes workers who assemble, finish and inspect plastic parts and finished products. They are employed by plastic products manufacturing companies and plastic parts divisions of aircraft or other manufacturing companies.

Job Outlook

Average

Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 30 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2016

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Estimate Weak growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 1275 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2016

The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. 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 grow moderately over the next few years, which will likely provide some additional opportunities for employment. 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. Plastic Products Assemblers, Finishers, and Inspectors most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.

The median employment income for 72% of Plastic Products Assemblers, Finishers, and Inspectors who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $40,262. 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

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

$14,052

Minimum

$36,184

Median

$62,075

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$12.00

Minimum

$18.75

Median

$30.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Plastic products assemblers and finishers perform some or all of the following duties:

Operate machines or equipment, or use hand tools to cut, shape, splice and fit plastic materials to form parts and assemblies.
Assemble composite materials on patterns to form parts and assemblies using bonding agents.
Operate spray-gun unit to apply resin mixtures to metal or wooden mould to form plastic products.
Load and operate autoclave oven to cure and bond plastic and composite parts and subassemblies.
Operate finishing equipment to trim, grind or buff plastic products into final form.

Plastic products inspectors perform some or all of the following duties:

Inspect manufactured plastic products for defects and conformance to specifications and quality standards, visually or using instruments.
Affix seals or tags to approved plastic products and mark and reroute defective products for repair or recycle.
Prepare reports on products inspected.
Make minor adjustments and repairs to products.
May train or assist in training new workers.

Sample job titles

plastic and composite worker
plastic cutter
plastic products assembler
plastic products finisher
plastic products inspector and tester
plastic products trimmer
quality control inspector - plastic products manufacturing

Skills

These jobs require mechanical aptitude and physical fitness. Good spatial perception, form perception, and hand-eye coordination are important. You must be accurate and attentive to detail.

Job requirements

Some high school education is usually required.
On-the-job training is provided.

Other considerations

Experience as a labourer in the same company may be required for assemblers, finishers and inspectors. Mobility among the various workers in this group is possible as is progression to supervisory positions with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

295

employed in 2016

92.5%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

31.9%

68.1%

46.8

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

86.6%

employed full-time

3.1%

self employed

27.6%

72.4%

44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

39.1%

Southern

27.5%

Northern

15.9%

Halifax

13.0%

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

71.2%

Rubber, Plastics & Chemical Manufacturing

10.2%

Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

5.1%

Other Industries

3.4%

Textiles, Furniture and Other Manufacturing

3.4%

Food and Beverage Product Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

33.3%

45-54

22.2%

55-64

22.2%

25-34

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

41.6%

45-54

28.6%

55-64

20.8%

35-44

5.2%

25-34

2.6%

15-24

Top levels of education

37.3%

High school

N/A

23.9%

College certificate or diploma

N/A

22.4%

Less than high school

N/A

14.9%

Trades certificate

N/A

3.0%

Bachelor's degree

N/A

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

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.

This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.

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 - Annapolis Valley Campus

50 Elliott Road

Lawrencetown, NS B0S 1M0

(902) 825-3491

avc.info@nscc.ca