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Production Worker
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
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
Feed mill production workers may specialize in one area or rotate duties throughout the plant. In general, they:
The industry is changing. Production workers are being assigned more responsibility in production processes. Many plants are being automated. In most plants, workers interact with other staff members in all parts of the operation.
Feed mill production workers primarily work indoors. The work environment may be noisy and dusty. They may have to do some heavy lifting. Shift work usually is required.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in operating processing and packaging machines and equipment
Interest in comparing information to make sure products conform to company standards; and in recording production data such as quantities, weights, sizes, dates and types of packaged products
Interest in setting up and adjusting processing and packaging machines
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Feed mill production workers need:
Feed mill workers should enjoy operating and controlling equipment, adjusting machines, and having clear rules with organized work methods.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 82 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 18, 2022 and Apr 18, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Clean machines and immediate work areas | 67 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Check products for defects and to ensure conformance to company standards | 64 |
| Tasks: Operate machinery to process and bag, box or otherwise package food products | 63 |
| Tasks: Set up and adjust processing and packaging machines | 61 |
| Tasks: Perform corrective machine adjustments | 58 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 57 |
| Attention to detail | 53 |
| Tasks: Record production information | 53 |
| Tasks: Maintain shift log of production and other data | 53 |
| Tasks: Make adjustments to process variables | 49 |
There are no standard education requirements for feed mill production workers. However, employers may require that applicants have a high school diploma. Related training or experience, such as a farm background, is an asset. Computer skills also are assets.
Feed mill workers are most often trained on the job. They learn to operate machinery in various aspects of mill operations. This may involve:
Post-secondary schools with agricultural programs sometimes provide short courses related to feed mill production. The schools’ continuing education divisions usually offer them in response to demand.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employees with no previous experience in feed mill production usually start as general plant help. With more experience, they are trained to operate machinery.
In most plants, individuals who have demonstrated leadership may advance to lead hand and supervisory positions. Some production workers may become feed sales representatives or move into marketing positions. To do this, they must take additional training and have a suitable personality.
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:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
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.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $29.63 | $17.69 | $16.20 |
| Overall | $17.00 | $33.57 | $20.73 | $20.00 |
| Top | $20.45 | $35.78 | $26.33 | $26.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $44,185 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $43,936 |
Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC) website: www.anacan.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 22, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
