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Material handlers (equipment operators)

OaSIS code 75101.02

Material handlers (equipment operators) handle, move, load and unload materials by using a variety of material handling equipment.

Overview

Also known as

  • Forklift truck operator
  • Pallet loader operator

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Move household appliances and furniture onto and off moving trucks or vans
  • Operate winches and other loading devices to load and unload materials onto and off trucks, railway cars and loading docks of warehouses and industrial establishments
  • Operate industrial trucks, tractors, loaders and other equipment to transport materials to and from transportation vehicles and loading docks and to store and retrieve materials in warehouses
  • Connect hoses or pipes and operate equipment to load and unload liquid petroleum, chemical or other products into or from tank cars, tank trucks or storage tanks
  • Operate equipment to dump materials such as coal, ore and grain into or to remove materials from railway cars, trucks or other vehicles
  • Operate conveyors and equipment to transfer grain or other materials from transportation vehicles to elevators, bins or other storage areas

Additional information

No data has been provided for this section.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Storekeepers and partspersons (14401)
  • Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (72021)
  • Heavy equipment operators (73400)
  • Longshore workers (75100)
  • Warehouse distribution supervisor (in 12013.00 Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations)
  • Mover helper (in 75211.02 Motor transport labourers)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

TEER

5 – Occupations usually require short-term work demonstration and no formal education

Major group

75 – Helpers and labourers and other transport drivers, operators and labourers

Sub-major group

751 – Helpers and labourers

Minor group

7510 – Longshore workers and material handlers

Unit group

75101 – Material handlers

Occupational profile

75101.02 – Material handlers (equipment operators)

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
5 - Highest Level
Handling and Moving Objects
4 - High Level
Controlling Machines and Processes
3 - Moderate Level
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
3 - Moderate Level
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
2 - Minimally close (Less than 100 ft.)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
3 - About half the time
Standing
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
2 - Less than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
3 - About half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
2 - Somewhat important
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day

Workplaces/employers

  • Manufacturing and processing companies
  • Retail and wholesale warehouses
  • Transportation, storage and moving companies

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Depth Perception
5 - Highest Level
Multi-Signal Response
5 - Highest Level
Peripheral Vision
5 - Highest Level
Auditory Attention
4 - High Level
Control of Settings
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Operation and Control
3 - Moderate Level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
2 - Low Level
Preventative Maintenance
2 - Low Level
Troubleshooting
2 - Low Level
Coordinating
1 - Lowest Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Stress Tolerance
4 - Highly important
Attention to Detail
3 - Important
Collaboration
3 - Important
Independence
3 - Important
Active Learning
2 - Somewhat important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RC

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Some secondary school education may be required.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operations
3 - Advanced Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Logistics
1 - Basic Level
Manufacturing, Processing and Production
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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