Pulp mill, papermaking and finishing machine operators
Career Overview
Pulp mill and papermaking and finishing machine operators:
- Run and monitor various types of processing machinery and equipment to produce pulp
- Help papermaking and coating control operators to produce, coat and finish paper
- Work in pulp and paper companies
Job Titles
Duties
Pulp mill machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Run and monitor papermaking and finishing process machinery and equipment, such as 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 perform one or more papermaking and finishing process steps
- Look at equipment and machinery panel indicators, gauges, level indicators and other equipment instruments to detect machinery and equipment malfunctions and make sure process steps are carried out according to specifications
- Speak with pulping, papermaking and coating control operator to make process adjustments and start up or shut down machinery and equipment as needed
- 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
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
775% Employed Full Time
71%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
- Exposures to steam or to intensely hot surfaces are potential sources of injury
- The workplace may contain strong or toxic odours
- Noise in the workplace may cause distraction or hearing loss
Career Pathways
There is limited movement among jobs in this occupational group.
Progression to pulping or papermaking and coating control operator is possible with experience.
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
- 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 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
For more information please see SkilledTradesBC's website at https://skilledtradesbc.ca.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Forestry Related
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.
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.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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
775Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 210 | 26.9% |
| Kootenay | 70 | 9.0% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 140 | 17.9% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 0 | 0.0% |
| Northeast | 0 | 0.0% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 35 | 4.5% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 310 | 39.7% |
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)
340Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 170 | 1.5% |
| Kootenay | 40 | -1.3% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 50 | -0.8% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 30 | 0.0% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 50 | -1.8% |
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 | 330 |
| Wholesale Trade | 10 |
Resources
Resource information is currently not available.