Sharpeners
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Job description
These individuals maintain industrial wood cutting tools. They sharpen and repair saws and wood knives. They work in:
- Sawmills
- Forestry companies
- Forestry cooperatives
- Private workshops
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Nontoxic dust
- Noise
- Fire, steam, hot surfaces
- Vibration
Main tasks
- Sharpen different types of saws, knives, and cutting tools used in factories (circular saws, wood knives, band saws, etc.).
- Set up sawing and sharpening machinery.
- Maintain cutting tools.
- Inspect and test tools to ensure proper operation.
- Perform minor repairs as required.
Advancement and mobility
- Experience leads to supervisory positions.
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Monitoring operations
- Operations and control
- Quality control analysis
- Equipment maintenance
- Repair
- Critical thought
- Troubleshooting
- Result evaluation
- Equipment selection
Abilities
- Hand-arm stability
- Digital dexterity
- Manual dexterity
- Control accuracy
- Near vision
- Selective attention
- Awareness of issues
- Visualization
- Perception speed
- Processing flexibility
- Written comprehension
- Speed control
- Reaction time
- Auditory attention
- Classification
- Limb coordination
- Static muscle power
- Information organization
- Deductive reasoning
- Hearing sensitivity
Knowledge and attributes
- Focussed on results
- Autonomy
- Rigour
- Attention to detail
- Respect standards and regulations
- Assiduity and punctuality
- Commitment to quality
- Learning speed
- Timeliness
- Knowledge of mechanics
Interests
- Make, build, install
- Work manually
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Other technical trades and related occupations (CNP 72999)
Skill type
Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
Related occupations
- Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators
- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
- Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
- Other small engine and small equipment repairers
- Welders and related machine operators
Last update: January 29, 2026
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