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Logging Machinery Operators  (NOC 8241)
Edmundston--Woodstock Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Logging machinery operators operate cable yarding systems, mechanical harvesters and forwarders and mechanical tree processors and loaders to fell, yard and process trees at logging sites. They are employed by logging companies and contractors.

chipping machine operator, delimber operator, feller buncher operator, feller forwarder operator, grapple operator – logging, linehorse operator, loader operator – logging, log processor operator, rigging slinger, shortwood harvester operator, slasher operator – logging, steel spar operator, treelength forwarder operator, yarder operator.

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The following is a summary of main duties for some occupations in this unit group:
  • Cable yarding system operators operate machines to transport trees from logging areas to landing or log loading sites in mountainous terrain in western Canada.
  • Mechanical harvester and forwarder operators assess site and terrain and drive heavy equipment to perform a combination of felling, slashing, bucking, bunching and forwarding operations at logging areas.
  • Mechanical tree processor and loader operators operate a variety of machines which perform a combination of slashing, bucking, chipping, sorting and loading logs or trees at landing sites.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Edmundston, Grand Falls, Grand-Sault, St. Leonard, Woodstock

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Logging Machinery Operators in Edmundston--Woodstock Region

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

Local Employment Potential Information

Table on the employment potential for Logging Machinery Operators in Edmundston--Woodstock Region as well as in the rest of the New Brunswick.
Location Employment Potential Release Date
Edmundston--Woodstock Region Limited 2012-05-14

Currently the chances of qualified Logging Machinery Operators finding employment are considered to be limited in the local area.

Job opportunities in this occupation are mostly found in this industry: support activities for agriculture and forestry. The main reason employment prospects are considered limited is that the lumber sector still has certain challenges to overcome in the area. These challenges are connected to the slowdown in the housing market and competition from worldwide lumber and pulp and paper producers. Exporters have to contend with the strong Canadian dollar and producers are having more trouble maintaining profitability. Employers are looking to reduce their inventories because of the weak North American market, and they have had to lay people off or temporarily close sawmills in the north of the province and elsewhere in New Brunswick. In the fall of 2011, the JD Irving Ltd. sawmill announced a layoff of about 150 employees in its Clair and Florenceville plants in the northwestern part of the province. The closing is blamed on difficulties with wood supply, the parity of the Canadian dollar with American currency and the weak real estate market in the United States.

Employment opportunities for Logging Machinery Operators may vary in different communities across the province. You may want to check for specific opportunities in your community. Also, people who are able to work elsewhere may want to research the opportunities for this occupation in other areas of NB or in other provinces across the country.

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Please consult the New Brunswick and Canada tabs for more useful information related to outlook.