Mill Worker
Mill Worker
Career Overview
Wood sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders specialize in operating specific pieces of woodworking machinery. They may operate CNC machines.
Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become a woodworker. Although some entry-level jobs can be learned in less than 1 year, becoming fully proficient generally takes several years of on-the-job training. The ability to use computer-controlled machinery is becoming increasingly important.
Future Outlook
Overall employment of woodworkers is projected to decline 4 percent from 2019 to 2029. Some demand for woodworkers is expected in residential and commercial property repairs and renovations. However, automation, especially the use of computerized numerical controlled machines in wood product manufacturing, should reduce the overall need for these workers over the decade.
Work Environment
Most woodworkers work in manufacturing plants. Although working conditions vary, some woodworkers may encounter machinery noise and wood dust.
Recommended High School Courses
- Math
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Trade-related courses
- First Aid
- Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
- Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- Extent Flexibility - The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
- Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
- Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
- Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
- Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Stamina - The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
- Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
- Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
- Load materials into production equipment.
- Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
- Count finished products or workpieces.
- Weigh finished products.
- Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading.
- Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
- Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
- Mix substances to create chemical solutions.
- Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
- Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
- Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment.
- Package products for storage or shipment.
- Record operational or production data.
- Move products, materials, or equipment between work areas.
- Signal others to coordinate work activities.
- Clean production equipment.
- Lubricate production equipment.
- Repair production equipment or tools.
- Replace worn equipment components.
- Install mechanical components in production equipment.
- Clean work areas.
- Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
- Clean workpieces or finished products.
- Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
Related Careers
References
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.