Overview
Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing carry out a variety of general labouring and routine wood processing activities and assist pulp mill and papermaking machine operators. They are employed by pulp and paper, and paper converting companies, sawmills, planing mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing companies.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Remove scrap lumber and wood chips for reprocessing using forklift or other powered equipment
Feed conveyors, saws, drying machines and other equipment to process lumber, shingles, veneer, plywood and similar wood products
Clean wood processing machines and equipment and work areas using shovels, hoses and other tools
Assist other wood processing workers to operate, maintain and repair various machines and equipment and carry out other wood processing activities.
Feed logs onto conveyor and into hopper of grinding machine and align logs manually, using crowbar, picaroon or other tools and equipment
Load wood chips, pulpwood, sulphur and other processing materials onto conveyors or processing tanks, remove recyclable paper and pulp from pulp and papermaking machines and transport recyclable paper and pulp to plant processing machines and equipment using forklift or other powered equipment
Sort, pile and transport lumber, veneer sheets, panelboards and similar wood products during various stages of wood processing, manually or with powered equipment
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$39,626
$65,696
$75,082
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
471expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school is required by the pulp and paper industry and by other large employers.
Additional information
There is considerable mobility among jobs within individual establishments.
Progression to machine or plant operating positions is possible with experience.
Certification requirements
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No post-secondary education required
No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.