Career Overview
Paper converting machine operators:
- Run various machines that make paper products such as paper bags, containers, boxes, envelopes and similar articles
- Work for paper products manufacturing companies
Job Titles
Duties
Paper converting machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Run machines that cut, fold, glue or clip paper and cardboard to make boxes, corrugated cartons and other articles
- Operate machines that glue paper to cardboard and cut it into required lengths
- Run machines that press paper to form drinking cups and other containers
- Run machines that cut, glue and fold paper to make envelopes or paper bags
- Operate other paper converting machines to form products such as paper tubes, cards, paper towels or diapers
- Clean and oil machine and do other routine machine maintenance
- Set up machines
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
170% Employed Full Time
65%Key aspects of the work in this occupation:
- Work takes place in a regular controlled indoor environment
- 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 movement between jobs in this group.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
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 required by the pulp and paper industry and other large employers
- Several weeks of on-the-job training are provided
- Previous experience as a labourer within the same company may be required
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!
Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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
170Employment by Region
Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | 0 | 0.0% |
Kootenay | 0 | 0.0% |
Mainland/Southwest | 155 | 91.2% |
North Coast and Nechako | 0 | 0.0% |
Northeast | 0 | 0.0% |
Thompson-Okanagan | 0 | 0.0% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 0 | 0.0% |
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)
40Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | Not available | Not available |
Kootenay | Not available | Not available |
Mainland/Southwest | 40 | -0.9% |
North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
Northeast | Not available | Not available |
Thompson-Okanagan | Not available | Not available |
Vancouver Island/Coast | Not available | Not available |
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 | 40 |
Resources
Resource information is currently not available.