Plastics Processing and Machine Operators

(NOC 9422)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Plastics processing machine operators set up and use plastic mixing, calendering, extruding and moulding processing machines used in the manufacture of plastic parts and plastic products. They work for plastic products manufacturing companies.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 35 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

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

$15.00

Minimum

$18.00

Median

$26.13

Maximum

Annual Pay

$16,950

Minimum

$40,939

Median

$61,190

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

Plastics processing machine operators set up and use plastic mixing, calendering, extruding and moulding processing machines used in the manufacture of plastic parts and plastic products. They work for plastic products manufacturing companies.

Job duties

Mixing machine operators:

  • Weigh resins, colorants and other chemicals according to formula.
  • Place weighed materials in mixing machine and run machine.
  • Monitor process, regulate material supply, and add chemicals and colorants to mixture.
  • Use controls to regulate temperature, speed and other processing conditions.
  • Unload mixture into container or conveyor for further processing.
  • Maintain and do minor repairs on machinery as required.
  • Maintain inventory of material and clean working area.

Calendering process operators:

  • Set up and use calendering machines that change dough-consistent plastic mass into continuous sheets or films of specified thickness.
  • Maintain and make minor repairs to equipment and adjust calender rollers for production line change.
  • Monitor quality of material produced.
  • Maintain inventory of material and clean working area.

Extruding process operators:

  • Set up and use one or more extruding machines that shape plastic composites products through a nozzle or die.
  • Change dies on extruding machines.
  • Maintain and make minor repairs to equipment.
  • Monitor quality of material produced.
  • Maintain inventory of material and clean working area.

Moulding process operators:

  • Set up and use one or more moulding machines that mould plastic products.
  • Change moulds and adjust equipment.
  • Maintain and make minor repairs to equipment.
  • Monitor quality of material produced, and change machine settings as required.
  • Follow formulation card to mix ingredient batches for injection moulding process.
  • Maintain inventory of material and clean working area.

Sample job titles

  • bag machine operator
  • banbury operator
  • blow moulding machine operator
  • calender operator
  • extruder operator
  • injection moulding operator
  • plastics press operator
  • printing roller moulder
  • solution mixer operator
  • thermoforming operator

Skills

  • You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and a mechanical ability 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 usually provided.
  • Several years of experience as a helper, tender or packer in the same company may be necessary.
  • A statistical process control (SPC) course may be needed.
  • Courses in hydraulics, pneumatics and electronics systems may be necessary for moulding process operators.

Other considerations

  • Movement among the various operators in this unit is possible. Movement to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

340

employed in 2016

98.5%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

22.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
77.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
43.6

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%

North Shore

$41,567 median annual income
23.2%

Southern

$46,684 median annual income
18.8%

Halifax

$33,004 median annual income
14.5%

Annapolis Valley

$38,134 median annual income
10.1%

Cape Breton

$47,343 median annual income

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

96.7%

Manufacturing

3.3%

Information and cultural industries

What is the age of Employment?

30.0%

45-54

27.0%

25-34

21.0%

35-44

13.0%

55-64

6.0%

15-24

3.0%

65+

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

51.5%

High school

$38,102 median annual income
22.1%

College Diploma

$42,227 median annual income
14.7%

Less than high school

$31,850 median annual income
10.3%

Trade Certification

$50,568 median annual income
2.9%

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

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.