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Sewing Machine Operators (NOC 9451)DescriptionSewing machine operators operate sewing machines to sew fabric, fur, leather or synthetic materials to produce or repair garments and other articles. They are employed in clothing, footwear, textile products, fur products and other manufacturing establishments and by furriers. Example Titles
Classified Elsewhere
DutiesSewing machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:
SkillsSewing machine operators need the following skills and abilities:
Employment Requirements
Terms & ConditionsSewing machine operators work indoors. The work may be stressful, as there is pressure to meet deadlines or contribute on time to part of a project. Normally the sewing machine operator is sitting, although some operators need to stand to operate one or more machines. Some machines may require the operator to stand for long periods of time. The work can be hard on backs, eyes and hands. New, more automated equipment has reduced some of the physical demands on operators. There may be discomfort from noise. Some employers pay piecework, or a combination of piecework and wages, while others pay straight wages. Wages start at minimum wage and increase with speed and skill. The normal full-time work week is 40 hours. Most (92%) sewing machine operators work full-time. Employment is not seasonal, but workers may be subject to occasional layoffs when orders are low. Most sewing machine operators are employees (96%), with a small minority self employed (4%). Earnings$19,300 per annum - starting $21,400 per annum - average $31,700 per annum - high Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available. Education / Training
Career PathsPersons may develop an interest in sewing their own clothing and in high school courses. Machine operators are usually trained on the job. They may specialize in working on one type of machine, product or material, e.g., gloves, fur, serger operator. Experienced operators may become inspectors and supervisors and with further training may become managers. OutlookEmployment prospects for sewing machine operators in the 2010 - 2014 period are expected to be limited. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 1,250 The volume of garments manufactured locally has been declining due to increasing imports and off-shore production, and this is expected to continue. The application of new technology is improving productivity which also affects employment levels. Sewing machine operators who can operate many different kinds of sewing machines have increased employment opportunities. There is fairly high turnover in this occupation, and shortages of sewing machine operators are experienced from time to time. Offshore recruitment is a common way of filling job vacancies when there are insufficient applicants from the local area. The long term trend however is for the work to move offshore. Most of the jobs for sewing machine operators are located in Winnipeg. The majority (86%) work in the Manufacturing sector and a small percentage in Wholesale Trade (5%). Employment by Age Group
Employment by Industry
Employment by Region
Employment by Gender
Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
Employment by Visible Minority
Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census. Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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