Sawmill Equipment Operators
Job description
These individuals operate various tools and equipment to transform wood.
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Nontoxic dust
- Noise
- Falling objects
Main tasks
- Examine raw logs and pieces of wood to determine their dimensions, condition, and quality.
- Operate and control automatic sawmill equipment.
- Adjust sawing equipment and replace saw blades or bands.
- Use machines to sort and stack wood according to length and thickness and to transport piles of wood.
- Monitor the movement of lumber and computer displays to ensure that lumber is cut to specifications.
- Print production reports.
- Clean and lubricate sawmill equipment.
Advancement and mobility
- Experience leads to supervisory positions.
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
DVS in opération d'équipements de production
Code : 5362
Placement rate: 80.4%
13.3% of graduates pursue further studies
Sometimes required
- A certificate in workplace first aid may be required.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Operations and control
- Monitoring operations
- Quality control analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Result evaluation
- Critical thought
Abilities
- Control accuracy
- Manual dexterity
- Hand-arm stability
- Near vision
- Speed control
- Digital dexterity
- Awareness of issues
- Reaction time
- Selective attention
- Limb coordination
- Endurance
- Core strength
- Static muscle power
- Depth perception
- Deductive reasoning
- Inductive reasoning
- Distance vision
Knowledge and attributes
- Focussed on results
- Autonomy
- Capacity to work in a team
- Knowledge of production and treatment
- Rigour
- Sense of initiative
- Respect standards and regulations
- Assiduity and punctuality
- Sense of observation
- Tolerance to routine work
Interests
- Make, build, install
- Work manually
- Develop and exploit natural resources
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)
Sawmill machine operators (CNP 94120)
Skill type
Manufacturing and utilities
Last update: January 29, 2026
Page evaluation