Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders
Career Overview
Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders:
- Inspect and grade lumber, shingles, veneer, waferboard and similar wood products to identify defects, make sure company specifications are followed and classify products according to industry standards
- Work in sawmills, planing mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing companies
Job Titles
Duties
Lumber graders:
- Examine lumber for knots, holes, splits and other defects and sort for further drying, trimming or remanufacturing
- Measure lumber using callipers, gauges and tape measures to verify specified thickness, length and width
- Classify and sort lumber according to industry standards and stamp lumber to indicate grade, wood type, moisture level and other characteristics
- Count lumber
- Complete and maintain reports
Other wood processing inspectors and graders:
- Inspect plywood panels, veneer sheets, panelboards, shingles and similar wood products for knots, holes, splits, straightness and other defects
- Mark defects and sort for repair or reprocessing
- Measure wood products to make sure they match specifications using standard measuring instruments
- Grade and label wood products according to quality standards
- Maintain and complete inspection and grading reports
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
795% Employed Full Time
70%Key aspects of the work in this occupation:
- Work takes place in a regular controlled indoor environment
- Work also takes place in an indoor setting where the temperature or humidity may vary greatly from normal room conditions
- The workplace may contain airborne particles such as sawdust
- Working with equipment, instruments, machinery or power/hand tools may be a source of injury
- Noise in the workplace may cause distraction or hearing loss
Career Pathways
There is some mobility between employers processing similar wood products.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
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For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
- Completion of secondary school is usually required
- On-the-job training and up to two weeks of classroom training are provided for lumber graders
- Previous experience as a sawmill machine operator, other wood processing operator or as a labourer in wood processing is usually required for graders and inspectors in this unit group
- Lumber graders require a lumber grader's licence issued by a provincial lumber association
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Academic/Basic Upgrading
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
795Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 110 | 13.8% |
| Kootenay | 70 | 8.8% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 320 | 40.3% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 70 | 8.8% |
| Northeast | 10 | 1.3% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 120 | 15.1% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 100 | 12.6% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
210Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 20 | -0.7% |
| Kootenay | 10 | -0.6% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 90 | -0.2% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 20 | 0.7% |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 20 | -1.3% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 30 | -0.4% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 150 |
| Forestry, Logging and Support Activities | 20 |
| Wholesale Trade | 20 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | 10 |
Resources
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