职业描述：Machine Operators and Related Workers in Textile Processing (944)

At Work
People in this group work in textile manufacturing companies and garment, mattress and other fabric products manufacturing companies. Their job duties may require them to operate specialized machinery.
Textile fibre and yarn preparation machine operators prepare textile fibres and spin, wind, reel and twist yarn and thread.
Weavers operate looms to weave yarn and thread into textile fabrics and products.
Other weaving workers reproduce patterns, perform drawing-in and warp tying activities and set up looms.
Knitting machine operators produce knitted fabric, hosiery, garments and other products.
Textile dyeing and finishing machine operators bleach, dye and finish yarn, thread, cloth and textile products.
Textile inspectors, graders and samplers prepare samples and inspect and grade textile products.
This occupational group also includes card tenders, wool scourers, textile printing operators and perch operators.

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

They may receive on-the-job training; its length depends on the complexity of the product or process, the number of machines they will operate and whether they will perform equipment set-up and maintenance.
Weavers, knitters and other workers in fabric-making occupations may require experience as labourers in their company.
Textile inspectors, graders and samplers who inspect valuable and complex products may require experience as weavers, knitters or other fabric-making operators.

About these Occupations
21,000 persons were employed in these occupations in 1996, 17.8% fewer than in 1986. Over the same period, employment in all occupations grew by 13.1%.

37% of these persons are weavers, knitters and other fabric-making operators; 26% are textile dying and finishing machine operators.
6% of these workers work part-time, well below the average of 19% for all occupations.
10% of these workers are self-employed, compared to an average of 16% for all occupations. Self-employment in these occupations has increased significantly since 1986.
44% of workers in these occupations are women, compared to an average of 45% for all occupations.
The unemployment rate in these occupations averaged 7.8% from 1994 to 1996, compared to an average of 6.7% for all occupations.
Average earnings of year-round, full-time workers in these occupations in 1995 were $27,400, well below the average of $35,700 for all occupations. These earnings are among the lowest for occupations at this skill level and for occupations in processing, manufacturing and utilities.
Employment in these occupations is not very sensitive to overall economic conditions and not seasonal.

Full-Time Earnings

1995 Full-Time Earnings*
$43,300 Highest
$27,400 Average
$13,600 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 poor. Labour market conditions for new entrants are expected to remain poor through 2001.

Immigration is expected to continue to make a significant contribution to the new supply of workers in these occupations.
Ongoing restructuring of the textile industry in response to current or new international trade agreements may result in continued uncertainty for those entering these occupations.
A high level of retirements due to an ageing work force will create openings for replacements.
Increasing use of robotics and computerized manufacturing technologies will require new entrants to have higher literacy and numeracy skills than in the past.
Labour requirements for these occupations will be stable through 2001. No industry sector will have significant growth in labour requirements for these occupations.