94106

Machining tool operators

TEER 4 — High-school diploma or several weeks of training

Express Entry skill level: No
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Manufacturing & utilities

9 › 94 › 941 › 9410

Definition

Machining tool operators set up and operate or tend metal-cutting machines designed for repetitive machining work. They are employed by metal products and other manufacturing companies and in machine shops. This unit group also includes workers who etch or chemically mill metal pieces.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Study job orders and interpret blueprints to determine machining operations to be performed
Set up and operate machine tools to perform repetitive machining operations, such as turning, milling, drilling, boring, planing, honing, broaching, grinding or other machining operations
Verify dimensions of parts machined using micrometers, callipers and other precision measuring instruments
Prepare etching solution and immerse metal parts or workpiece in etching solution to remove unwanted portions
Perform routine maintenance on equipment and machinery
May enter codes specifying speed, feed and cut of the toolpath for computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools.

Example job titles

•aircraft parts etcher
•boring mill operator - metal machining
•computer numerical control (CNC) machining tool operator
•lathe machining operator
•machining tool operator
•milling machine set-up operator
•radial drill operator - metal machining

Overview

Under Canada's official NOC 2021 system, Machining tool operators are classified under code 94106. This TEER 4 occupation consists of individuals who set up and operate pre-programmed or semi-automatic metal-cutting, shaping, and size-reduction machinery to process metal stock. These workers are primarily employed in manufacturing sectors, including machinery manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing, sheet metal shops, and other metal products industries across Canada.

Typical duties for individuals in NOC 94106 include reading work orders, preparing and loading raw materials, monitoring machine operations to detect defects, and adjusting machine controls as required. Additionally, operators inspect finished metal parts using micrometers, calipers, or other measuring instruments to ensure compliance with specifications, and they may perform routine maintenance on the machinery. A secondary school education and several weeks of on-the-job training are typically required for this role.

For Canadian immigration purposes, TEER 4 occupations like NOC 94106 may qualify for targeted economic immigration pathways, including specific streams of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), or localized pilot programs. Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. For official and up-to-date program requirements, please refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.