National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.3

9 - Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

This category contains supervisory, production and labouring occupations in manufacturing, processing and utilities.

Occupations in this category are characterized by either technical training or internal progression, and on-the-job training. Process control occupations in this category are increasingly technical and post-secondary training is usually required. For many occupations in this category, workers typically start out as labourers and progress to machine operation occupations through experience. Progression to supervisory positions requires experience in the occupations supervised. Mobility in some of these occupations may be limited by seniority provisions of collective agreements, or may require additional training.

94 - Processing and manufacturing machine operators and related production workers

This major group comprises occupations in processing and manufacturing machine operation and related production work which usually require completion of secondary school and experience or on-the-job training. It includes machine operators and related workers in mineral and metal products processing and manufacturing; chemical, plastic and rubber processing; pulp and paper production and wood processing and manufacturing; textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing; food, beverage and associated products processing; and printing equipment operators and related occupations.

943 - Machine operators and related workers in pulp and paper production and wood processing and manufacturing

This minor group includes sawmill machine operators; pulp mill machine operators; papermaking and finishing machine operators; other wood processing machine operators; paper converting machine operators; lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders; and woodworking machine operators. They are employed by sawmills and planing mills; pulp and paper companies; woodrooms of pulp mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing plants; paper products manufacturing companies; and furniture, fixture and other wood products manufacturing establishments.

9432 - Pulp mill machine operators

Pulp mill machine operators operate and monitor various types of processing machinery and equipment to produce pulp. They are employed by pulp and paper companies.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • assistant bleacher operator - pulp and paper
  • assistant digester operator
  • cook - pulp and paper
  • cook's first helper - pulp and paper
  • digester operator - pulp and paper
  • field operator - pulp and paper
  • grinderman/woman - pulp and paper
  • refiner operator - pulp and paper
  • repulper operator
  • screenman/woman - pulp and paper
  • thermomechanical pulp assistant operator
  • thermomechanical pulp operator

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing (See 9614 Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing)
  • Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators (See 9235 Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators)
  • Supervisors, forest products processing (See 9215 Supervisors, forest products processing)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate and monitor screening equipment, bleaching equipment, digesters, mixing tanks, washers, and other pulp processing machinery and equipment to carry out one or more cellulose processing 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 control operator 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
  • Complete and maintain production reports.

• 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 several months of on-the-job training is required.
  • Previous experience as a pulp mill labourer within the same company is usually required.
  • A certificate in industrial first aid may be required.

• Additional information

  • There is limited mobility among jobs within this occupational group.
  • Progression to pulping control operator is possible with experience.