Pulp and paper machine operators

Pulp and paper machine operators

NOC
94121

- Pulp mill, papermaking and finishing machine operators

operate processing machinery to produce pulp and assist papermaking and coating control operators to produce, coat and finish paper.

Quick facts

3-Year Outlook

Undetermined
Undetermined

3-Year Job Openings

104
 

Median Hourly Wage

N/A

Average Salary

$98,000
 

Typically Required

High school / on-the-job training

Employed

450
 
Job details

Full NOC Description

Pulp mill and papermaking and finishing machine operators operate and monitor various types of processing machinery and equipment to produce pulp and assist papermaking and coating control operators to produce, coat and finish paper. They are employed by pulp and paper companies.

Main Duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
 

  • Operate and monitor paper mill, papermaking and finishing process machinery and equipment such as screening equipment, bleaching equipment, digesters, mixing tanks, and washers to carry out one or more cellulose processing steps and equipment such as dryers, laminators, cutters, coaters, calenders and hoists to carry out one or more papermaking and finishing process steps
  • Observe equipment and machinery panel indicators, gauges, level indicators and other equipment instruments to detect machinery and equipment malfunctions and ensure process steps are carried out according to specifications
  • Communicate with pulping, papermaking and coating control operators to make process adjustments and start up or shut down machinery and equipment as required
  • Collect processing samples and conduct titration tests, pH readings, specific density tests and other routine tests on pulp and solutions
  • Inspect paper visually for wrinkles, holes, discolouration, streaks or other defects and take corrective action
  • Complete and maintain production reports.

Also Known As

  • assistant bleacher operator - pulp and paper
  • assistant coating operator - pulp and paper
  • calender operator - pulp and paper
  • cook - pulp and paper
  • digester operator - pulp and paper
  • embossing calender operator - pulp and paper
  • fourth hand - pulp and paper
  • graderman/woman - pulp and paper
  • grinderman/woman - pulp and paper
  • paper machine operator
  • paper-coating machine operator
  • refiner operator - pulp and paper
  • sheeter operator - pulp and paper
  • thermomechanical pulp assistant operator
  • thermomechanical pulp operator
  • winder operator - pulp and paper
  • winderman/woman - pulp and paper
Requirements

Employment Requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is required.
  • A college diploma in forest products processing or a related subject may be required.
  • Completion of several weeks of formal company training and/or on-the-job training is required.
  • Previous experience as a labourer 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.

Provincial Regulation

Not Provincially Regulated

Employment by Sex

The following graph shows the percentage of men and women working in this occupation in New Brunswick.

Data legend

5.4%
Female
94.6%
Male
Employment by age

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by age group.

Data legend

8.0%
15-24
9.3%
25-34
28.0%
35-44
21.3%
45-54
29.3%
55-64
4.0%
65+
Employment by highest level of education

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by highest level of education achieved.

Data legend

0.0%
No Certificate, Diploma or Degree
38.7%
High School, Diploma or Equivalent
18.7%
Apprenticeship or Trades Certificate or Diploma
36.0%
College or University Below Bachelor Level
6.7%
University - Bachelor Level or Above
Employment by Industry

The following graph shows the industry groups in which the largest shares of persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick are employed. Small percentages for all top three industry groups may suggest employment for this occupation is widely distributed amongst many industry groups.

Data legend

100.0%
Manufacturing
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
All Other Industries
Employment by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons employed in this occupation in New Brunswick by which economic region they reside in.

Data legend

12.30%
Northeast
4.10%
Southeast
45.20%
Southwest
19.20%
Central
19.20%
Northwest
Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

Economic Regions

The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

Annual Average Salary by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the average salary of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

Data legend

N/A
Northeast
N/A
Southeast
$108,000
Southwest
$96,000
Central
$100,000
Northwest
Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

Economic Regions

The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

Hourly Median Wages by Economic Regions

The following represents the median hourly wage of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

No Data Available
Salary

The following shows the average salary of everyone who worked full-time and year-round in this occupation across each of the Atlantic Provinces and nationally.

New Brunswick

$98,000

Newfoundland

$96,000

Prince Edward Island

N/A

Nova Scotia

$70,000

Canada

$88,900
Employment Outlook

The following represents the number of job openings that are expected to occur in this occupation over the next three and ten years respectively, broken down by openings expected to result from growth (“new jobs”) and openings expected to result from attrition (death and retirements).

Three Year Outlook

Total Openings: 3-Year

104
 

New Jobs: 3-Year

51
 

Retirements/Deaths: 3-Year

53
 

Ten Year Outlook

Total Openings: 10-Year

158
 

New Jobs: 10-Year

-4
 

Retirements/Deaths: 10-Year

163