Job prospects Machine Operator - Plastics Processing in Alberta

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "machine operator - plastics processing" in Alberta or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Alberta

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Plastics processing machine operators (NOC 94111) in Alberta for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Here are some key facts about Plastics processing machine operators in Alberta:

• Approximately 700 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Plastics processing machine operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Plastics and rubber products manufacturing (NAICS 326): 65%
  • Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 6%
• 67% of plastics processing machine operators work all year, while 33% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of plastics processing machine operators are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 83% compared to 53% for all occupations
  • Women: 17% compared to 47% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 13% compared to 10% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 48% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 9% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 13% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 14% compared to 21% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Alberta by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "machine operator - plastics processing" Plastics processing machine operators (NOC 94111) or across Canada.

Learn more