How to become a labourer in textile processing and cutting
Official title: Labourers in textile processing and cutting
Also called: Helper - textiles, Felt goods labourer, Woollen mill labourer, Textile machine feeder, Textile machine cleaner, Textile product labourer, Textile machine offbearer, Cuff-cutting machine tender, Chainer - textile processing, Creeler - textile processing, Labourer - textile processing, Can doffer - textile processing
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.
Main tasks
- 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
How to become one
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.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $36,075 a year The middle half earn $32,175 to $39,488.
- About 3,000 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 2,700 are projected by 2033. (-10%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Labourers in mineral and metal processing
- Labourers in metal fabrication
- Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities
- Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing
- Labourers in rubber and plastic products manufacturing
- Labourers in food and beverage processing
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Questions people ask
How do I become a labourer in textile processing and cutting?
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.
How much does a labourer in textile processing and cutting earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $36,075 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $32,175 to $39,488.
Is a labourer in textile processing and cutting a growing career in Canada?
Employment is projected to fall 10% by 2033, from about 3,000 to about 2,700 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a labourer in textile processing and cutting?
Usually not. Only 11% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03