Labourers in Mineral, Metal, Chemical Products, Utilities, and Textiles Fabrication

(NOC 9611, 9612, 9613, 9616, 9619)

in All NS Occupations

This group includes many jobs that do not require a high level of formal training. These workers operate and monitor various types of machinery and equipment; load and transport materials; and check, sort, assemble, or package materials and products. They are employed in mineral ore and metal processing plants, uranium processing plants, steel mills, aluminum plants, precious metal refineries, cement processing plants, and clay, glass, and stone plants and foundries. Labourers in metal fabrication are employed in structural steel, boiler and platework fabrication plants, heavy machinery manufacturing plants, sheet metal fabrication shops, shipbuilding, and other metal products manufacturing companies. Labourers in chemical products are employed by petroleum and natural gas processing, pipeline and petrochemical, chemical and pharmaceutical companies, and by electrical, water, and waste treatment utilities and services. Labourers in textile processing are employed by textile manufacturing companies. Other labourers are employed by companies that manufacture products such as clothing, footwear, furniture, and electrical and electronic products, and by printing and packaging companies.

Job Outlook

Average

Estimate Stable employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 70 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2016

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

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 a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to remain largely the same over the next few years. 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. Labourers in Mineral, Metal, Chemical Products, Utilities, and Textiles Fabrication most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically temporary positions (such as a term, contract, or casual work).

The median employment income for 45% of Labourers in Mineral, Metal, Chemical Products, Utilities, and Textiles Fabrication who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $33,477. 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

$12.00

Minimum

$17.00

Median

$27.50

Maximum

Annual Pay

$3,437

Minimum

$24,112

Median

$52,727

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 many jobs that do not require a high level of formal training. These workers operate and monitor various types of machinery and equipment; load and transport materials; and check, sort, assemble, or package materials and products. They are employed in mineral ore and metal processing plants, uranium processing plants, steel mills, aluminum plants, precious metal refineries, cement processing plants, and clay, glass, and stone plants and foundries.

Labourers in metal fabrication are employed in structural steel, boiler and platework fabrication plants, heavy machinery manufacturing plants, sheet metal fabrication shops, shipbuilding, and other metal products manufacturing companies.

Labourers in chemical products are employed by petroleum and natural gas processing, pipeline and petrochemical, chemical and pharmaceutical companies, and by electrical, water, and waste treatment utilities and services.

Labourers in textile processing are employed by textile manufacturing companies. Other labourers are employed by companies that manufacture products such as clothing, footwear, furniture, and electrical and electronic products, and by printing and packaging companies.

Job duties

The following is a summary of some of the duties performed by labourers in this group:

Labourers in mineral and metal processing perform material handling, clean-up, packaging and other elemental activities related to mineral ore and metal processing.
Labourers in metal fabrication remove excess metal and unwanted materials from metal parts, castings and other metal products and perform other labouring activities.
Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities carry out a variety of material handling, cleaning and routine general labouring activities.
Labourers in textile processing perform a variety of manual duties to assist in processing fibres into yarn or thread, or to assist in weaving, knitting, bleaching, dyeing or finishing textile fabrics or other textile products.
Other labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities includes labourers, not elsewhere classified, who perform material handling, clean-up, packaging and other elemental activities in processing, manufacturing and utilities.

Sample job titles

foundry worker - primary metal processing
gas utility labourer
labourer - metal fabrication
landfill weigh scale attendant
loom cleaner
packer - manufacturing
scrap yard worker - primary metal processing
sorter, recyclable materials
textile product labourer
welder helper

Skills

To work in these jobs, you should have good physical health. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

Some high school education may be required while completion of high school may be required for some positions in this group.

Other considerations

Although work patterns vary according to the employer's business and the type of work done, work in these jobs is generally seasonal. Generally, this work is carried out in shifts at various hours of the day or on a part-time basis. Progression to machine and process operator positions is possible with experience and appropriate qualifications. There is also considerable mobility among jobs in this group.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,580

employed in 2016

85.4%

employed full-time

2.5%

self employed

25.3%

74.7%

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?

25.6%

Halifax

24.2%

Northern

19.1%

Southern

16.8%

Cape Breton

14.5%

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

15.2%

Wholesale Trade

14.9%

Management, Admin & Other Support

10.5%

Textiles, Furniture and Other Manufacturing

7.3%

Metal Fabrication and Machinery (excl. electrical)

6.3%

Rubber, Plastics & Chemical Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

25.9%

55-64

20.0%

45-54

19.0%

15-24

18.0%

25-34

12.2%

35-44

5.4%

65+

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

43.3%

High school

$19,371 median annual income

26.4%

Less than high school

$27,339 median annual income

16.4%

College certificate or diploma

$24,908 median annual income

10.8%

Trades certificate

N/A

1.8%

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.

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