Job prospects Machine Operator - Plastics Processing in Ontario

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

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

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

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Mainly employed in the plastic product manufacturing industry

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Plastic products have strong linkages to the construction and motor vehicle manufacturing industries:
• Construction activity is expected to be favourable across Ontario over the forecast period
• Investments in the automotive sector will support demand for plastic goods
• Technological advancements, such as 3D printing and automated plastic processing machines, may alter the skill requirements of these operators

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Experience in a particular area of plastic manufacturing such as injection moulds, extrusion moulds or mixing chemicals may be required
• Operators may need to be familiar with health and safety procedures such as the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).

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

• Approximately 11,300 people work in this occupation.
• Plastics processing machine operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Plastics and rubber products manufacturing (NAICS 326): 61%
  • Motor vehicle, body, trailer and parts manufacturing (NAICS 3361-3363): 6%
  • Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 5%
• 65% of plastics processing machine operators work all year, while 35% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 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: 70% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 30% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 21% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 45% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 6% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 16% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

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