National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.0
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.
941 - Machine operators and related workers in mineral and metal products processing and manufacturing
This minor group includes machine operators in mineral and metal processing; foundry workers; glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters; concrete, clay and stone forming operators; inspectors and testers in mineral and metal processing; metalworking and forging machine operators; machining tool operators; and other metal products machine operators. They are employed by mineral ore and metal processing plants and cement processing plants; metal foundries and foundry departments of metal products manufacturing companies; glass and glass products manufacturing companies; concrete, clay and stone products manufacturing companies; sheet metal products manufacturing companies, sheet metal shops and other light metal products manufacturing establishments; structural steel fabrication, boiler and platework manufacturing companies and heavy machinery manufacturing companies; metal products and other manufacturing companies and machine shops; and in the shipbuilding, fabricated metal products, machinery and transportation equipment manufacturing industries.
9411 - Machine operators, mineral and metal processing
Workers in this unit group operate machinery to process mineral ore and metal. They are employed in mineral ore and metal processing plants such as copper, lead and zinc refineries, uranium processing plants, steel mills, aluminum plants, precious metal refineries and cement processing plants.
Illustrative example(s)
- aluminum classifier
- asbestos dryer
- billet heater
- brick and tile crusher operator
- cement miller
- extrusion press operator
- foil-winding machine operator
- ladle pourer
- lead refiner
- lime kiln operator
- mica sheet laminator
- quenching car operator
- scrap metal shredder
- sintering machine operator
- slurry equipment operator
- steel roller
- uranium classifier operator
- zinc cell operator
Exclusion(s)
- Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing (See 9231 Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing)
- Concrete, clay and stone forming operators (See 9414 Concrete, clay and stone forming operators)
- Foundry workers (See 9412 Foundry workers)
- Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters (See 9413 Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters)
- Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing (See 9415 Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing)
- Labourers in mineral and metal processing (See 9611 Labourers in mineral and metal processing)
- Supervisors, mineral and metal processing (See 9211 Supervisors, mineral and metal processing)
Main duties
Machine operators, mineral and metal processing, perform some or all of the following duties:
- Set up, prepare and adjust mineral ore, metal and cement processing machinery to carry out one step in the overall mineral ore or metal processing operation
- Operate single-function machinery to grind, separate, filter, mix, treat, cast, roll, refine or otherwise process mineral ores
- Observe gauges, meters, computer printouts, video monitors and products to ensure correct operation of machinery and verify processing conditions
- Make adjustments to machinery as required
- Record production information and complete reports
- May assist with machinery maintenance or repair.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Experience as a labourer in mineral and metal processing is usually required for machine operators.
Additional information
- There is little mobility among the various types of machine operators within the mineral and metal processing industry.
- With experience, machine operators may progress to central control and process operators in mineral and metal processing.
9412 - Foundry workers
This unit group includes workers who make foundry moulds and cores by hand or machine, cast molten metal, and operate furnaces in the foundry industry. They are employed by metal foundries and foundry departments of metal products manufacturing companies.
Illustrative example(s)
- bench moulder
- casting machine operator
- ceramic mouldmaker
- die-casting machine operator
- foundry worker
- furnace operator - foundry
- machine coremaker
- manual moulder
- melter - foundry
- metal caster
- pit moulder
- sand coremaker
- sand moulder
Exclusion(s)
- Foundry labourers (See 9611 Labourers in mineral and metal processing)
- Furnace operators who convert and refine primary metals, and operators of continuous casting processes (See 9231 Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing)
- Supervisors of foundry workers (See 9211 Supervisors, mineral and metal processing)
Main duties
The following is a summary of the main duties for some occupations in this unit group:
- Manual mouldmakers make and repair sand moulds using patterns, moulding boxes, sand and hand tools following bench, floor or pit moulding methods; operate ovens to dry moulds; may pour molten metal into moulds to produce metal castings.
- Manual coremakers make cores for use inside moulds to form holes or void spaces in castings using core boxes, sand, hammer and wire or other reinforcing material; coat cores with protective materials and bake cores in oven.
- Machine mouldmakers and coremakers set up, adjust and operate various mouldmaking and coremaking machines to make sand and ceramics moulds and cores.
- Metal casters set up and operate various casting machines to cast ferrous and non-ferrous metal products; hand ladle and pour molten metal into moulds to produce castings.
- Foundry furnace operators operate furnaces used to melt metals for moulding and casting.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school may be required.
- Up to two years of on-the-job training are required for manual mouldmakers; several months of on-the-job training are required for other workers in this unit group.
Additional information
- There is some mobility between workers in this unit group.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
9413 - Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters
Machine operators in this unit group operate multi-function process control machinery or single-function machines to melt, form, cut or finish flat glass, glassware, bottles, and other glass products. Glass cutters cut flat glass of various thicknesses to specified sizes and shapes by hand. They are employed by glass and glass products manufacturing companies.
Illustrative example(s)
- bottle machine operator - glass products manufacturing
- float operator - glass forming
- glass beveller
- glass edger
- glass moulder
- glass-blowing machine operator
- glass-finishing machine operator
- glass-pressing machine operator
- hand glass cutter
- mirror maker
Exclusion(s)
- Glass blowers (See 5244 Artisans and craftspersons)
- Glaziers (See 7292 Glaziers)
- Helpers and labourers in glass products manufacturing (See 9611 Labourers in mineral and metal processing)
- Neon sign makers (See 9524 Assemblers and inspectors, electrical appliance, apparatus and equipment manufacturing)
- Production inspectors in glass products manufacturing (See 9415 Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing)
- Supervisors of workers in this unit group (See 9211 Supervisors, mineral and metal processing)
Main duties
Glass process control operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate multi-function process control machinery through control panels, computer terminals or other control systems to mix and melt raw materials; heat, anneal, temper or form float glass or glass products; and coat glass with silver or other metals and materials
- Observe gauges, computer printouts and video monitors to verify specified processing conditions and make adjustments as necessary
- Maintain shift log of production and other data
- May operate process control machinery to cut glass or assemble glass window units
- May clean and maintain process machinery
- May ensure adequate levels of oil, soap, talc or other materials used in machine production of glass.
Glass forming machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Set up and adjust automatic glass feeding, flowing and forming machines
- Operate and maintain machines that press or blow molten glass in moulds to form or shape containers, such as bottles, jars and drinking glasses
- Operate electric kilns that heat glass sheets and mould to the shape and curve of metal jigs
- Spray or swab moulds with oil solutions to prevent adhesion of glass
- Weigh, measure and check production samples to assess conformance to specifications using scales and gauges and by visual verification.
Glass finishing machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Set up and adjust glass and glass-product finishing machines
- Operate and maintain finishing machines to grind, drill, sand, bevel, decorate, wash or polish glass or glass products
- Visually inspect products for quality
- Record manufacturing information such as quantity, size and type of goods produced.
Glass cutters perform some or all of the following duties:
- Jig, measure and mark glass or place pattern on or under glass for cutting
- Examine and mark defective glass to obtain best cut
- Cut glass along marked outlines or around pattern using hand tools
- Smooth rough edges using belt sander or smoothing wheels
- Set up, operate and adjust computerized or robotic glass cutting equipment
- Monitor process for product quality.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school may be required.
- Experience as a machine operator helper in glass manufacturing is usually required for machine operators in this unit group.
- Experience as a glass cutter helper is usually required for manual glass cutters.
Additional information
- Mobility is possible among the various types of machine operators in this unit group.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
9414 - Concrete, clay and stone forming operators
This unit group includes workers who cast and finish concrete products, operate machines to extrude, mould, press and bake clay products, and operate machines to form, cut and finish stone products. They are employed by concrete, clay and stone products manufacturing companies.
Illustrative example(s)
- asbestos shingle presser
- brick presser operator
- clay press operator
- clay products moulder
- concrete block maker
- finisher - concrete, clay and stone products
- granite cutter
- marble cutter
- precast concrete moulder
- precast concrete slab maker
- stone driller
- stone planer
- stonework moulder
Exclusion(s)
- Concrete finishers (See 7282 Concrete finishers)
- Helpers and labourers in concrete, clay and stone products manufacturing (See 9611 Labourers in mineral and metal processing)
- Inspectors of concrete, clay and stone products (See 9415 Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing)
- Sculptors (See 5136 Painters, sculptors and other visual artists)
- Stone carvers and potters (See 5244 Artisans and craftspersons)
- Stone masons (See 7281 Bricklayers)
- Supervisors of workers in this unit group (See 9211 Supervisors, mineral and metal processing)
Main duties
Concrete products forming and finishing workers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Construct clay models and moulds by hand and with hand tools for use in casting concrete products
- Build and repair wooden forms used to mould concrete products
- Position reinforcing rods or wire mesh in moulds and fill moulds with concrete from suspended pouring buckets
- Start vibrating tables to settle concrete, or tamp concrete using electric vibrator
- Remove castings from mould with crane or forklift, and finish surfaces of castings using screed or trowel
- Cut cured concrete pipe sections with saw or chisel, and cement sections together to form odd shaped fittings.
Concrete products machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Set up, adjust and operate single-function machines to mix, drill, grind and cut concrete to specifications in the manufacture of concrete products
- Check products for quality control, repair flaws and perform ongoing machine adjustments and minor maintenance as necessary
- Move products using forklift, crane or hydraulic hoist
- Record manufacturing information such as quantity, size and type of goods produced.
Clay products forming and finishing machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Set up and operate automatic machines that mix ingredients, extrude tempered clay mixture and cut extruded clay into sections to make products such as bricks, drain tiles and porcelain insulators
- Operate mechanical or hydraulic ram and hot-presses to form pottery and porcelain ware
- Prepare and mix slip and fill moulds with slip to form pottery and porcelain ware such as jugs, cups, sinks and toilet bowls
- Operate kiln to bake clay products to specified hardness.
Stone forming and finishing workers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate blade or wire saws to cut blocks of stone to specified dimensions
- Operate machines to grind and polish surfaces of stone blocks, slabs or other stone products to specific shape or design and to produce smooth finish
- Operate sandblasting equipment to cut inscriptions or decorative designs in stone monuments
- Finish stone products with spray paint and by mounting plaques or installing concrete bases
- Operate stone-dressing lathe to sharpen and dress grindstones that grind logs into pulp
- Operate machine to drill holes in blocks or slabs of stone according to specifications.
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school education may be required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Experience as a helper or labourer in concrete, clay or stone products manufacturing may be required.
- Mould makers in this unit group who construct and repair wooden forms may require some carpentry or woodworking experience.
Additional information
- Mobility is possible between workers within each of the concrete, clay and stone manufacturing sectors, but there is little or no mobility between these manufacturing sectors.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
9415 - Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing
Inspectors and testers in this unit group inspect, grade, sample or test raw materials and products from mineral ore and metal processing operations. They are employed in mineral ore and metal processing plants such as copper, lead and zinc refineries, uranium processing plants, steel mills, aluminum plants, precious metal refineries, cement processing plants, clay, glass and stone processing plants and foundries.
Illustrative example(s)
- asbestos grader
- brick and tile inspector
- castings tester - primary metal and mineral products processing
- clay products grader
- core tester - foundry
- fibreglass tester
- glass quality control inspector
- heat treating inspector - metal processing
- metal processing inspector
- mineral sampler - mineral products processing
- molten metal sampler - primary metal processing
- salvage glass inspector
- sheet steel inspector - primary metal processing
- steel tester - primary metal processing
Exclusion(s)
- Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing (See 9231 Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing)
- Machine operators, mineral and metal processing (See 9411 Machine operators, mineral and metal processing)
- Metallurgical control analysts and mineralogical assayers (See 2212 Geological and mineral technologists and technicians)
- Non-destructive testers and inspection technicians (See 2261 Non-destructive testers and inspection technicians)
- Quality control technologists and technicians (chemical) (See 2211 Chemical technologists and technicians)
- Supervisors, mineral and metal processing (See 9211 Supervisors, mineral and metal processing)
Main duties
Inspectors and testers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Inspect mineral ore, metal, cement, glass, clay or concrete products at various stages of processing to ensure adherence to specifications
- Grade and label raw materials or finished products according to size, thickness, composition or other classification standards
- Take samples of products during or after processing operation for routine analysis or for subsequent laboratory analysis
- Test product for strength, density, durability and conformance to specifications
- Advise supervisor or central control operator and process machine operators of problems and product deficiencies
- Complete inspection and test reports.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Experience as a machine or process operator in mineral and metal processing is usually required.
9416 - Metalworking and forging machine operators
Light metalworking machine operators operate metalworking machines which shape and form sheet or other light metal into parts or products. Heavy metalworking machine operators operate metalworking machines which shape and form steel or other heavy metal into parts or products. Forging machine operators operate forging machines to form and shape metal into various shapes and sizes and impart desired strength, hardness or other characteristics. Light metalworking machine operators are employed by sheet metal products manufacturing companies, sheet metal shops and other light metal products manufacturing establishments. Heavy metalworking machine operators are employed by structural steel fabrication, boiler and platework manufacturing companies, heavy machinery manufacturing companies and in the shipbuilding industry. Forging machine operators are employed primarily in the fabricated metal products, machinery and transportation equipment manufacturing industries.
Illustrative example(s)
- bending press operator - metal fabrication
- cold press operator - metal forging
- disk flange operator - metal fabrication
- drop hammer operator - metal forging
- electric arc cutter - metal products manufacturing
- forging press operator
- metal-forming machine set-up operator
- metalworking machine operator
- power brake operator - metal fabrication
- power press operator - metal fabrication
- punch press setter - metalworking
- roll operator - metal fabrication
- saw operator - metal fabrication
- shear setter - metal fabrication
- sheet metal roll operator - metal fabrication
Exclusion(s)
- Sheet metal workers (See 7233 Sheet metal workers)
- Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters (See 7235 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters)
- Supervisors of metalworking machine operators (See 9226 Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing)
Main duties
Metalworking machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Read specifications or follow verbal instructions
- Lay out, set up and operate one or more light or heavy metalworking machines such as shears, power presses, saws, plate rolls, drills, brakes, slitters, punch presses, computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment, and other hand tools to cut, bend, roll, ream, punch and drill, weld or otherwise shape and form metal stock into parts or products
- Operate machines or equipment which weld, solder, bolt, screw or rivet metal parts together
- Check products for correct shapes, dimensions and other specifications
- Troubleshoot and perform corrective action or minor repairs
- May select and transport material to work area manually or using crane or hoist
- May document work completed
- May build staging or erect scaffolding as required for heavy metalworking jobs
- May clean or lubricate equipment and replace parts as required.
Forging machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate gas or oil fired furnaces to heat metal to proper temperature prior to forging
- Place metal pieces in furnace using hand tongs or overhead cranes and remove from furnace when colour of metal indicates proper forging temperature, or load and unload furnace with automatic conveyor
- Position heated or cold metal pieces, on die of press or other forging machinery
- Operate presses or other forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, twisting, forming, drawing, upsetting, splitting, cutting, punching, piercing, bending, coining, or other operations to shape or form metal
- Position and adjust dies on anvil of forging machinery using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices and hand tools.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school education may be required.
- Previous experience as a labourer or helper in the same company may be required.
- On-the-job training is usually provided.
Additional information
- There is little or no mobility between operators of light and heavy metalworking machines.
- Progression to structural metal fabricator or supervisory positions is possible with experience for metalworking machine operators.
- Progression to blacksmith, die setting, or supervisory positions is possible with experience for forging machine operators.
9417 - Machining tool operators
Machining tool operators set up and operate or tend metal-cutting machines designed for repetitive machining work. They are employed by metal products and other manufacturing companies and in machine shops. This unit group also includes workers who etch or chemically mill metal pieces.
Illustrative example(s)
- aircraft parts etcher
- boring mill operator - metal machining
- CNC machining tool operator
- lathe machining operator
- machining tool operator
- milling machine set-up operator
- production gear cutter
- production grinder operator - metal machining
- radial drill operator - metal machining
Exclusion(s)
- CAD/CAM and CNC programmers (See 2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians)
- Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations (See 7201 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations)
- Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (See 7231 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors)
- Tool and die makers (See 7232 Tool and die makers)
Main duties
Machining tool operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Study job orders and interpret blueprints to determine machining operations to be performed
- Set up and operate machine tools to perform repetitive machining operations, such as turning, milling, drilling, boring, planing, honing, broaching, grinding or other machining operations
- Verify dimensions of parts machined using micrometers, callipers and other precision measuring instruments
- Prepare etching solution and immerse metal parts or workpiece in etching solution to remove unwanted portions
- Perform routine maintenance on equipment and machinery
- May enter codes specifying speed, feed and cut of the toolpath for computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools.
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school education is required.
- College or other courses in machining may be required.
- Several months of on-the-job training are provided.
- Senior positions in this unit group, such as set-up operator, require experience as a machine operator.
Additional information
- Experienced machining tool operators may become machinists or tool and die makers through apprenticeship training.
9418 - Other metal products machine operators
This unit group includes metal products machine operators, not elsewhere classified, who operate one or more automatic or multi-purpose machines to produce a variety of metal parts and products, such as wire mesh, nails, bolts and chains. They are employed by a wide variety of metal products manufacturing companies.
Illustrative example(s)
- bolt machine operator
- bullet maker
- can-forming machine operator
- chain-making machine operator
- metal cable maker operator
- nail making machine tender
- spring machine operator
- wire screen maker
- wire weaver
Exclusion(s)
- Machining tool operators (See 9417 Machining tool operators)
- Metalworking and forging machine operators (See 9416 Metalworking and forging machine operators)
- Supervisors of machine operators in this unit group (See 9226 Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing)
Main duties
Machine operators in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate or tend automatic or multi-purpose machines including wire looms to produce metal parts and metal products such as wire screening, fencing, tinware, metal baskets, racks, hooks, metal tubing and similar articles
- Fit and assemble components using hand and power tools
- Clean, polish, file or otherwise finish products
- Check products for quality and other specifications
- May clean and lubricate machinery.
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school education is usually required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Experience as a labourer in the same company may be required.
Additional information
- There is some mobility among machine operators in this unit group.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
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