| Essential Skill | Level Required | Example Task |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Text | 1 to 3 | Reads shift notes and log entries about the status of various jobs, special machining instructions and changes to customers’ orders (1) |
| Reads memos about company-specific changes and bulletins about industry-wide news (2) | ||
| Reads instructions on work orders (3) | ||
| Document Use | 1 to 3 | Completes checklists and other administrative forms (1) |
| Reviews statistical data in graph format (2) | ||
| Reviews photographs and sketches of parts when scale drawings are not available (3) | ||
| Writing | 1 to 2 | Writes brief notes to record procedures for setting up or carrying out jobs and to inform other machinists about work status and problems encountered on the job (1) |
| Writes e-mails and memos to supervisors and engineers (2) | ||
| *Numeracy | 3 | Calculates all finished product dimensions of a part before starting a job (Measurement and calculation math) (1) |
| Oral Communication | 1 to 2 | Exchanges information with co-workers (1) |
| Shares information and opinions with co-workers and colleagues (2) | ||
| Computer Use | 2 to 3 | Uses databases to access documents (2) |
| Uses computer-assisted design, manufacturing and machining software (3) | ||
| Thinking Skills | 1 to 2 | Encounters defective materials (1) |
| Discovers that finished products do not meet specifications (2) | ||
| Thinking Skills - Problem Solving | Data currently being updated | |
| Thinking Skills - Decision Making | Data currently being updated | |
| Thinking Skills - Critical Thinking | Data currently being updated | |
| Thinking Skills - Job Task Planning and Organizing | Data currently being updated | |
| Thinking Skills - Significant Use of Memory | Data currently being updated | |
| Thinking Skills - Finding Information | Data currently being updated | |
| Working with Others | 2 | Mainly works independently and with others |
| Continuous Learning | 2 | Must maintain current knowledge new technology, product and trends within the machining industry |
| Other Aspects | Physical | Mainly standing at machines |
| Must be detail-oriented, conscientious, confident and able to work independently as well as with others | ||
| Must continually update knowledge of new computer-assisted design, computer numerical-controlled machining equipment and new technology | ||
**Thinking Skills include: Problem Solving, Decision Making, Critical Thinking, Job Task Planning and Organizing, Significant Use of Memory, and Finding Information.
View the external profile (new window) Source: HRSDC
Source: http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca
| Age Bracket | Age Profile |
|---|---|
| 15 to 24 | 85 |
| 25 to 44 | 465 |
| 45 to 64 | 560 |
| 65 plus | 15 |
Employment Trends: In the Niagara area, employment prospects for this occupation are fair. Retirements and normal economic growth are expected to create job openings. On an Ontario-wide basis employment in this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2009.
Employment prospects are dependent on the outlook for the manufacturing sector, where most machinists work. In the short term, activity in the manufacturing industry has slowed, resulting in some softening in labour market conditions in this occupation and in demand for new machinist apprentices. Longer term this trade and some other trades may be affected by an ageing workforce. As experienced skilled workers retire, replacement needs will be created.
The work of machinists continues to be transformed by technological change. Machinists must be willing to update their skills on a continuous basis to adapt to changing technology. High speed machining, machining centres, machines with multiple functions and computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment are increasingly common. CNC equipment often has improved controls, automatic parts loaders, tool changers and sensors. A machinist may be in charge of several machines. Technically advanced equipment and the need for increased speed and quality require additional skills. Employers need skilled workers who can operate increasingly advanced equipment and a variety of conventional and CNC machines. New apprentices entering this field are increasingly expected to have a higher level of math and reading skills than was traditionally expected before the adoption of these new technologies.
| Sector | Number Employed in Niagara | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 Manufacturing | 1005 | 92.20% | |
| 41 Wholesale trade | 40 | 3.67% | |
| 81 Other services (except public administration) | 30 | 2.75% | |
| 22 Utilities | 15 | 1.38% | |
CAD-CAM programmers (in 2233 Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Technologists), Machining Tool Operators (9511), Supervisors, Machinists and Related Occupations (7211), Tool and Die Makers (7232)
Source: http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca
