Agricultural Products Processing Machine Operator

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Machine Operators, Food and Beverage Processing (9461.2) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Process Control and Machine Operators, Food and Beverage Processing (J171) 
• 2011 NOC: Process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing (9461) 
• 2016 NOC: Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing (9461) 

Agricultural products processing machine operators may operate a variety of machines. The type of machines depends on the product, the methods used and the size of the business and plant.

In general, agricultural products processing machine operators:

• Operate single- and multi-function processing machines
• Observe gauges, printouts and monitors
• Adjust machines and process variables such as cooking times and temperatures as needed
• Do food-safety checks
• Clean machinery before and after use
• Maintain equipment and troubleshoot problems
• Fill out forms to document line activity
• Keep shift logs to track production data
• Prepare products for distribution
• Check product and machinery output quality

Depending on the operation, they may also:

• Set up or adjust machines for specific processes
• Package and label products for sale
• Assemble packaged products into larger lot sizes for shipping
• Record production information
• Serve customers
• Load transport trucks

Dairy plant machine operators run machines that pasteurize milk or process and package dairy products such as cheese, ice cream, butter, non-fat dry milk and condensed milk.

Fruit and vegetable processing machine operators run machines that clean, wash, sort, trim, peel and cut produce. They also may operate machines that process and package fruit and vegetable products.

Grain processing machine operators process grain into animal feed or food products such as flour, cereal, pasta, cooking oil or beer. They also may process peas, beans, chickpeas or mustard.

Working conditions vary. Much production line work is done indoors in warm, clean and well-ventilated conditions. Other work is performed in unheated packaging sheds, cold storage or freezers. Work in grain processing plants can be dusty and noisy. Work near cooking or sanitizing operations can be hot and humid. Some machine operators work beside each other in small spaces.

In plants that run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, employees work in rotating shifts.

Agricultural products processing machine operators need:

• Stamina
• Physical co-ordination and manual dexterity
• The ability to work steadily and swiftly
• The ability to do routine tasks yet remain alert and flexible
• The ability to understand written specifications and instructions
• Mechanical aptitude

They should enjoy:

• Operating and controlling equipment
• Having clear rules and organized methods for their work
• Producing a finished or improved product for human or animal consumption

Agricultural products processing machine operators work in food and drink processing plants, such as:

• Bakeries
• Malting facilities
• Breweries
• Distilleries
• Dairies
• Flour mills
• Fruit and vegetable processing plants
• Meat plants
• Sugar refineries
• Seed plants
• Feed mills

New employees usually start as general plant help. They may rotate through the plant to get exposure to its operations. Advancing from general plant help to skilled roles requires specific on-the-job training. Employees skilled in specific processes may advance to roles such as lead hand or shift supervisor.

Agricultural products processing machine operators are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 9461: Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing. In Alberta, 84% of people employed in this classification work in the Manufacturing [pdf] industry.

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the Manufacturing industry
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation

Over 3,300 Albertans are employed in the Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 59 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As agricultural products processing machine operators form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for agricultural products processing machine operators.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

In Alberta, the J171: Process Control and Machine Operators, Food and Beverage Processing occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 59 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry website: www.agric.gov.ab.ca

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website: www.inspection.gc.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.