职业描述：Machine Operators in Chemical, Plastic and Rubber Processing (942)

Machine Operators and Related Workers in Chemical, Plastic and Rubber Processing (942)

At Work
People in this group work for chemical, cleaning compound, ink and adhesive industries, plastics and rubber products manufacturing companies, tire manufacturers, municipal governments, and other industries, institutions and organizations.
Chemical plant machine operators run machinery to blend, mix, process and package a wide range of specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and cleaning and toiletry products.
Plastics processing machine operators set up and run mixing, calendering, extruding and moulding machines used to manufacture plastic parts and products.
Rubber processing assemblers run moulding, laminating, calendaring and extruding machinery and equipment.
Rubber processing inspectors examine finished rubber products.
Water and waste plant operators monitor and run computerized control systems and related equipment to regulate water treatment and distribution, and the treatment and disposal of sewage and wastes.

Education, Training and Experience
People in this group usually need some high school or a high school diploma.

Some require on-the-job training and related work experience.
Chemical plant machine operators may need formal company training programs, a Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certificate and other certifications.
Plastics processing machine operators may need statistical process control courses.
Plastics moulding process operators may need hydraulics, pneumatics and electronics systems courses.
Rubber plant machinery operators usually need a high school diploma and good math and computer skills.
Water and waste plant operators must have courses in water pollution control.

About these Occupations
43,000 persons were employed in these occupations in 1996, an increase of 7.5% from 1986. Over the same period, employment in all occupations grew by 13.1%.

38% of these workers are plastics processing machine operators, and 32% are rubber processing machine operators.
4% of these workers work part-time, well below the average of 19% for all occupations.
5% of these workers are self-employed, well below the average of 16% for all occupations.
23% of persons working in these occupations are women, compared to an average of 45% for all occupations.
The unemployment rate in these occupations averaged 6.7% from 1994 to 1996, equal to the average for all occupations.
Average earnings of year-round, full-time workers in these occupations in 1995 were $33,600, compared to an average of $35,700 for all occupations.
Persons 15 to 29 years old make up a large percentage of new hires in these occupations, indicating that these are often entry-level positions.
Employment in these occupations is highly sensitive to overall economic conditions but is not seasonal.

Full-Time Earnings

1995 Full-Time Earnings*
$50,100 Highest
$33,600 Average
$16,700 Lowest

* Full-time earnings of the highest 10%, the average and the lowest 10% of workers. $35,700 is the average for all occupations.

Looking to the Year 2001
Current labour market conditions for new entrants in these occupations are good. Labour market conditions for new entrants will remain good through the year 2001.

Continuing demand for lighter and stronger materials in manufactured goods should work in favour of this occupational group.
New equipment in the plastics industry is more complex and computer controlled. Increasing use of computerized equipment in these occupations could improve prospects for new entrants with appropriate education or experience.
Most of the growth in labour requirements through 2001 in these occupations will occur in the rubber manufacturing, motor vehicle, chemicals and plastics industries.