Pulping, Papering and Coating Control Operators

(NOC 9235)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators use and monitor multi-function process control machinery and equipment to control the processing of wood, scrap pulp, recyclable paper, cellulose materials, paper pulp and paperboard. They work for pulp and paper 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

$21.68

Minimum

$26.24

Median

$36.67

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$53,948

Median

N/A

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

Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators use and monitor multi-function process control machinery and equipment to control the processing of wood, scrap pulp, recyclable paper, cellulose materials, paper pulp and paperboard. They work for pulp and paper companies.

Job duties

Pulping, papering and coating operators:

  • Use, coordinate and monitor equipment from central control room or machine consoles and control panels in equipment cabins to control process operations and machinery.
  • Control the processing of materials and monitor the chemical and physical process operations using a distributed control system and process computers.
  • Watch panel indicators, gauges, video monitors and other instruments to detect equipment malfunctions and make sure processes are running according to process specifications.
  • Evaluate instrument readings and production test samples and adjust or direct other machine operators to adjust pulp production, papermaking and coating process and equipment as needed.
  • Complete and maintain production reports.

Sample job titles

  • bleach plant operator
  • panelboard operator
  • paper machine control operator
  • pulping control operator
  • pulping group operator
  • pulping technician

Skills

  • You should be responsible and alert. Mechanical ability and strong computer skills are important. You must be able to work as part of a team.

Job requirements

  • High school may be necessary.
  • A college or other program in forest products processing or a related subject may be required for pulping control operators.
  • Completion of several weeks of formal company training and several months of on-the-job training is required.
  • Several years of experience as a pulp mill, papermaking or finishing machine operator within the same company is usually required.
  • A certificate in industrial first aid may be required.
  • A competency certificate in natural gas may be required.

Other considerations

  • There is limited movement among jobs within this group. Movement to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

65

employed in 2016

100.0%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

15.4%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
84.6%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
41

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?

33.3%

Cape Breton

N/A
25.0%

Halifax

N/A
25.0%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
16.7%

North Shore

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

83.3%

Manufacturing

16.7%

Wholesale trade

What is the age of Employment?

45.0%

45-54

36.0%

25-34

18.0%

35-44

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

61.5%

High school

$53,054 median annual income
38.5%

College Diploma

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

Natural Resources Management and Policy

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources. They include courses in the principles of wildlife and conservation biology, environmental science, animal population surveying, natural resource economics, management techniques for various habitats, applicable law and policy, administrative and communications skills, and public relations.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture

Truro, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Maritime College of Forest Technology
Fredericton, NB
Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia
Truro, NS
Forest Nova Scotia
Hildon, NS
Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Occupational Health and Safety Division
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.