Fabric, Fur and Leather Cutters

(NOC 9445)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Fabric cutters cut fabric to make parts for clothes, linens and other pieces. Fur cutters cut fur pelts to make parts for clothes and other fur items. Leather cutters cut leather to make parts for shoes, clothes and other leather pieces. Fabric cutters work for clothing and textile manufacturers and other manufacturers of fabric products. Fur cutters work for furriers and fur products manufacturers. Leather cutters work for shoe and other leather products manufacturers.

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.

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 remain largely the same over the next few years. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Fabric, Fur, and Leather Cutters may either be working full-time or part-time hours.

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$23.91

Median

$35.04

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Fabric cutters:

Place patterns on top of layers of fabric and cut fabric using electric or manual knives, cutters or computer numerically controlled (CNC) cutting devices.
Adjust cutting technique to type of fabric and style of garment.
May cut fabric samples.

Fur cutters:

Cut fur skins in diagonal strips to specified length and shape of pelt using furrier's knives and cutters.
Number pelts to show their location on pattern.
May sort or match skins and may prepare fur samples.

Leather cutters:

Select leather and cutting dies for leather goods and shoe parts according to specifications.
Position leather on cutting bed of machine, maximizing usage according to skin grain, skin flaws and skin stretch.
Use clicker or punch press to stretch leather.
Use machine to cut leather or cut single leather skins by hand to make leather products.
May cut leather samples.

Sample job titles

clothing cutter
fabric cutter
fur cutter
glove cutter
leather cutter
sample cutter
shoe cutter

Skills

You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and mechanical skills are important. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

Some high school is usually required.
Experience as a fabric, fur or leather cutter is necessary for fabric, fur or leather sample cutters.
Some on-the-job training is provided for jobs in this group.
Several years of on-the-job training are provided for fur cutters.

Other considerations

Shift work may be typical for many of these jobs. There is little movement among the different kinds of cutters in this group. Movement to supervisor positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

< 50

employed in 2016

60.0%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

40.0%

60%

37.7

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?

60.0%

North Shore

N/A

40.0%

Southern

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

71.4%

Manufacturing

28.6%

Health care and social assistance

What is the age of Employment?

25.0%

15-24

25.0%

55-64

25.0%

25-34

25.0%

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

40.0%

High school

N/A

20.0%

College Diploma

N/A

20.0%

Less than high school

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