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

• 9461.2: Machine Operators, Food and Beverage Processing

2006 NOC-S

• J171: Process Control and Machine Operators, Food and Beverage Processing

2011 NOC

• 9461: Process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing

2016 NOC

• 9461: Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing

2021 NOC

• 94140: Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing

Agricultural products processing machine operators run a variety of machines to maintain the quality and safety of foods and prepare them for long-term storage. The type of machines depends on the product, the methods used, the plant or animal part being processed, and the size of the business.

In general, operators of agricultural products processing machines:

• Operate single- and multi-function processing machines
• Observe gauges, printouts, and monitors
• Adjust machines and change variables such as cooking times and temperatures as needed
• Do food-safety checks
• Clean and sanitize machinery before and after use
• Maintain equipment to ensure it performs efficiently, and troubleshoot problems
• Order packaging materials, and other products such as lubricants and replacement parts to maintain the machine
• Fill out records and forms to document line activity and show compliance with food regulations and business operational requirements
• Plan and maintain shift logs to track production data
• Prepare processed and packaged products for distribution
• Check product and machinery output to ensure a high-quality standard

Depending on the operation, they may also:

• Set up or adjust machines for different processes
• Package and label products for sale
• Assemble packaged products into larger lot sizes for shipping
• Record production information and date stamp production to comply with consumer legislation
• Serve customers
• Load and unload transport trucks

Dairy plant machine operators run machines that pasteurize milk. They also 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 may operate machines that further 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 malt. They also process peas, beans, chickpeas, and mustard.

Working conditions vary depending upon time of year and whether the food product is seasonal. Much production line work is done indoors in warm, clean, well-lit, well-ventilated conditions. Depending on the process, strict hygiene and cleanliness standards may be essential. Other work is performed in unheated packaging sheds, cold storage rooms, 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 often work in rotating shifts.

Operators of agricultural product processing machines 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 most often start as general plant help. They may rotate through the plant to learn about each of its operations. Advancing from general plant help to skilled roles requires on-the-job training. Employees skilled in specific processes may advance to roles such as lead hand or shift supervisor.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 9461: Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing occupational group, 78.3% of people work in:

• Manufacturing

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 9461: Process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.6% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

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

Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation website: www.alberta.ca/agriculture-and-irrigation.aspx

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

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.