9613-NOC

Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing

(NOC 95103)
Annual Earnings
$63,173
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
No Formal Education
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
670

Career Overview

Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing carry out a variety of general labouring and routine wood processing activities. They also help pulp mill and papermaking machine operators.

They work for pulp and paper converting companies, sawmills, planing mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing companies.

Duties

Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Feed logs onto conveyor and into hopper of grinding machine and align logs manually, using crowbar, picaroon or other tools and equipment
  • Load wood chips, pulpwood, sulphur and other processing materials onto conveyors or processing tanks, remove recyclable paper and pulp from pulp and papermaking machines and transport recyclable paper and pulp to plant processing machines and equipment using forklift or other powered equipment
  • Sort, pile and transport lumber, veneer sheets, panelboards and similar wood products during various stages of wood processing, manually or with powered equipment
  • Remove scrap lumber and wood chips for reprocessing using forklift or other powered equipment
  • Feed conveyors, saws, drying machines and other equipment to process lumber, shingles, veneer, plywood and similar wood products
  • Clean wood processing machines and equipment and work areas using shovels, hoses and other tools
  • Help other wood processing workers to operate, maintain and repair various machines and equipment and carry out other wood processing activities

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.

Annual Earnings

$63,173

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$34.37/hr
Median$30.29/hr
Low$19.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

4,770

% Employed Full Time

56%
Source: 2021 Census

Key aspects of the work in this occupational group:

  • These labourers generally work in an indoor plant environment near or with equipment, instruments, machinery or power/hand tools that may be a potential source of accident or injury
  • Workers may be exposed to flying particles, noise, vibration, strong odours and dust

Career Pathways

There is considerable mobility among jobs within individual establishments.

Progression to machine or plant operating positions is possible with experience.

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:

Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Beater operator helper - pulp and paper
Chip bin attendant - wood processing
Conveyor cleaner - pulp and paper
Green wood chainman/woman - wood processing
Grinder feeder - pulp and paper
Labourer - pulp and paper
Labourer - wood processing
Lumber straightener - wood processing
Plywood dryer feeder
Sheeter helper - pulp and paper
Utility man/woman - pulp and paper

Education, Training and Skills

  • Completion of secondary school is required by the pulp and paper industry and by other large employers

 

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Academic/Basic Upgrading
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

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!

Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.

51%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

48%
Active Listening

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.

45%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

43%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

42%
Quality Control Analysis

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

42%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

40%
Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

40%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

39%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

39%

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

4,770
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 1,025 21.5%
Kootenay 330 6.9%
Mainland/Southwest 1,395 29.2%
North Coast and Nechako 480 10.1%
Northeast 165 3.5%
Thompson-Okanagan 990 20.7%
Vancouver Island/Coast 395 8.3%
Source: 2021 Census

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 (2023-2033)

670
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 90 -2.0%
Kootenay 70 -0.7%
Mainland/Southwest 20 -2.1%
North Coast and Nechako 120 1.0%
Northeast 40 -1.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 300 0.2%
Vancouver Island/Coast 30 -1.2%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

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

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Manufacturing450
Wholesale Trade50
Retail Trade30
Transportation And Warehousing30
Construction30
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources

Resource information is currently not available.