Papermaking and Finishing Machine Operators

(NOC 9433)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Papermaking and finishing machine operators use process machinery and equipment and help papermaking and coating control operators to produce, coat and finish paper. They work for pulp and paper companies.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

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

$19.54

Minimum

$23.56

Median

$29.01

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$54,274

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

Job duties

Papermaking and finishing machine operators:

Use and monitor papermaking and finishing process machinery and equipment.
Mount, position and thread paper rolls using a hoist.
Control process machinery using a control system and process computers.
Watch equipment and machinery, panel indicators, gauges, level indicators and other devices to identify machinery and equipment failures and make sure process steps are carried out.
Communicate with and help papermaking and coating control operators to make process changes and to start up or shut down process machines as needed.
Inspect paper visually for defects and take corrective action.
Complete and maintain production reports.

Sample job titles

assistant coating operator
balerman/woman
calender operator
embossing calender operator
fourth hand
graderman/woman
paper machine operator
paper-coating machine operator
sheeter operator
winderman/woman

Skills

You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and mechanical ability are important. You must be able to follow directions and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

High school is needed.
Several weeks of formal company training and several months of on-the-job training is necessary.
Experience as a labourer within the same company is usually needed.
A certificate in industrial first aid may be necessary.
A competency certificate in natural gas may be necessary.

Other considerations

These are largely rural jobs, and self-employment is not common. There is limited movement among jobs within this group. Advancement to papermaking and coating control operator occupations is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

employed in 2016

100.0%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

14.3%

85.7%

45.2

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%

72.4%

44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

28.6%

North Shore

N/A

28.6%

Halifax

$54,980 median annual income

21.4%

Cape Breton

N/A

21.4%

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

15.4%

Information and cultural industries

What is the age of Employment?

38.0%

35-44

31.0%

45-54

15.0%

55-64

15.0%

25-34

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

$52,616 median annual income

30.8%

Trade Certification

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

admission@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Website

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Website

Community Learning Organizations