Overview
Labourers in textile processing perform a variety of manual duties to assist in processing fibres into yarn or thread, or to assist in weaving, knitting, bleaching, dyeing or finishing textile fabrics or other textile products. Labourers in textile cutting cut fabric, fur, or leather to make parts for garments, linens, shoes and other articles. Labourers in textile processing and cutting are employed by clothing and textile manufacturers and other manufacturers of fabric products such as leather and fur.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Labourers in textile processing
Load and off-load machines
Clean textile machines and work areas
Push carts, trucks, or cans of fibres from one work area to another
Assist machine operators and other textile workers as required.
Fabric cutters
Place patterns on top of layers of fabric and cut fabric using electric or manual knives, cutters or computer numerically controlled (CNC) cutting devices
Adjust cutting technique to type of fabric and style of garment
May cut fabric samples.
Fur cutters
Cut fur skins in diagonal strips to specified length and shape of pelt using furrier's knives and cutters
Number pelts to indicate their location on pattern
May sort or match skins, and may prepare fur samples.
Leather cutters
Select leather and cutting dies for leather goods and shoe parts according to specifications
Position leather on cutting bed of machine, maximizing usage according to skin grain, skin flaws and skin stretch
Operate clicker or punch press to stretch leather
Operate machine to strip and cut leather or cut single leather skins by hand to make leather products
May cut leather samples.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$36,289
$43,652
$58,397
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
113expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Some secondary school education may be required.
Experience as a fabric, fur or leather cutter is required for fabric, fur or leather sample cutters.
On-the-job training is provided for some occupations in this unit group.
Additional information
Progression to machine operator or supervisory positions is possible with experience.
There is little mobility among the different kinds of cutters in this unit group.
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.