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 openings due to growth and retirements not available for this occupation.
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Estimate 75 employment change, 2019-2021
Estimate 1460 openings due to growth and retirements, 2018-2020
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. 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

40.0%

Southern

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 certificate or 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 certificate or diploma

$38,781 median annual income

12.2%

Trades certificate

$43,975 median annual income

4.5%

Bachelor's degree

$39,715 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.

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 - Adult Learning

PO Box 220

Halifax, NS B3J 2M4

(866) 679-6722

admissions@nscc.ca