What exactly do machine operators do, and are there promising careers available in the Greater Ontario Area? 

The short answer is yes to the career part of the question! And we’ll discuss that aspect in this post. Here’s what else we’re going to cover:

• What is a Machine Operator? 
• What Does a Machine Operator Do? 
• How to Become a Machine Operator
• What are the responsibilities of a machine operator?
• How Much Do Machine Operators Make
• Machine Operator Skills 

Ready to get started? Are you looking for some excellent machine operator jobs in Ontario in the Greater Toronto Area?

As a leading automotive, forklift operator, and machine operator staffing services provider in Greater Toronto and Southwestern Ontario, HCR Personnel Solutions is a valued resource for both employers and employees.

We have an established reputation as one of the leading Temp Agencies In Toronto in the Greater Toronto Area and Southwestern Ontario. This gives us access to world-class companies looking for outstanding employees. And for qualified candidates like you, we provide an inside track to exciting job opportunities to help you:

• Add some flexibility to your career
• Search for short- or long-term assignments
• Find positions that match your skills and experience
• Begin every job prepared and ready to work

Call us today at 416-622-1427, or get in touch online to discuss your career goals.

So let’s get started with the basics. 

What is a Machine Operator? 

A better question might be “who” is a machine operator.

A machine operator is a skilled worker who operates machinery, typically in a factory or manufacturing facility. The machinery and workplace duties can vary significantly from company to company.  Some types of machines that machine operators use include:

• Packaging machines
• Cutting machines
• Drill presses
• Stamping machines
• Lathes and grinding equipment
• Metal presses
• Joiners
• Milling machines

These machines are typically very sophisticated and very expensive. That means that the people who operate them are knowledgeable about the machines and the overall manufacturing environment.

Machine operators are the critical workers who keep manufacturing facilities and factories profitable and productive.  

What Does a Machine Operator Do? 

We checked in to see what the compensation experts at Payscale (Canada) had to say:

What Do Machine Operators Do?

Machine operators operate different types of machinery, which they are required to be knowledgeable about. Most of the time, a machine operator will work on a specific type of machinery. However, their work may vary a lot. For example, supervisors at a plant may have operators work on different machines throughout a shift to prevent monotony and to keep workers motivated. 

A machine operator may work with heavy machinery all the way from setup to operation. A machine operator may also work with a piece of machinery that is computer-based, mechanically based, or remotely controlled. In the latter case, the operator is there to ensure that the machinery is running properly. Machine operators can be considered builders, fabricators, mechanics, craftsmen, and quality assurance officers combined. 

Thus, being a machine operator can require education at a technical school and/or an associate’s degree in a related field. Certain certification is also available to advance in the field. There can be a lot of flexibility in the hours worked by a machine operator is very high, and there are a lot of different positions available to choose from. Machine operators usually work indoors. There are many outdoor positions for machine operator as well, including jobs in building and road construction.  

That’s a pretty comprehensive high-level description. So let’s do a deeper dive into machine operator job duties, salary and compensation, and work-lifestyle benefits.

How to Become a Machine Operator

Barriers to entry are low, since there are no hard and fast education or certification requirements to and a job as a machine operator. You can start building your hard and soft skills and keep a sharp eye out for opportunities.  

What hard and soft skills can you work on? Here are a few suggestions from one of our current job postings:

Job Requirements

• Reliable, hardworking and dedicated.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Focused and detail oriented.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Requirements:

• Min. 1 year of manufacturing or general labour experience is a must.
• Work efficiently; meeting production targets.
• Ability to lift 30lbs.
• Good manual dexterity.
• Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent.

There are several temp agencies in Toronto, but none that focus on machine operator positions like HCR Personnel Solutions.

We provide machine operator staffing services focused on the GTA. So we know which companies are hiring and what skills they’re looking for. 

What are the responsibilities of a machine operator?

Ultimately, these skilled workers are mission-critical for the smooth operation of the factory or manufacturing facility. 

Their responsibilities go way above and beyond simply watching their machine run safely. Glassdoor offers some context around the responsibilities of machine operators:

• Set up machinery for operation

• Start machinery and make adjustments to machinery when necessary to improve performance

• Operate machinery and equipment according to instructions

• Troubleshoot issues and perform maintenance

• Perform quality control, follow reporting and recordkeeping procedures, and report problems to supervisor

• Comply with all safety and health regulations
• Clean machinery and maintain cleanliness in work area

How Much Do Machine Operators Make?

Machine operator jobs In Ontario average anywhere from $15 to $30 per hour. The pay depends on the type of machine and the skill level required by the operator. And there are always opportunities for overtime, shift pay, and non-salary benefits like healthcare and retirement plans. 

Machine Operator Skills

The fundamental high-level skills required of machine operators include:

• Physical Stamina & Strength 
• Attention to Detail 
• Ability to Read Blueprints 
• Ability to Read Mechanical And Electrical Schematics

One of their most important skills is the innate ability to understand their function in the context of the entire manufacturing process.

Are there perks in the machine operation field? 

These jobs can offer flexibility, overtime pay, job satisfaction, work-lifestyle benefits, and independence. Work schedules typically cover all three shifts, depending on the position and the facility’s hours of operation. 

Your work tasks are often flexible as well. You will usually have the flexibility to schedule your tasks as long as they’re complete within your shift. Also, if you’re open to flexible workforce options, you have several employment plans to consider, including:   

• Temporary and Contract Positions
• Temporary-to-Hire 
• Direct Hire
• Full and Part-Time Positions

Machine operator jobs can provide you with personal satisfaction, great pay, benefits, and a career path with a future. 

If the machine operations field sounds like something you’d like to pursue, let us help you get started. We can get started today to help you find a machine operator job in the Greater Toronto Area.

There are hundreds of unfilled machine operator jobs in Ontario daily.

Manufacturing companies are acutely aware of the need for the skilled, motivated, certified logistics professionals that we call machine operators! 

So how can you get a job as a machine operator?

That’s the straightforward part.

Engage with an established recruiting and staffing agency to help you with your career path and job search. A recruiting and staffing firm like HCR can streamline the hiring process by helping you find the companies that are looking for candidates just like you.  

Whether you are searching for reliable and skilled workers or looking for new job opportunities, HCR has the solution. We match job seekers with excellent career opportunities every day.

Why settle for just any job when you can choose an opportunity uniquely suited to you? 

At HCR, we’re not a typical recruitment firm. You will notice that the first time you talk with us. Your personal recruiter will get to know you beyond your resume. We focus on your personal and professional career goals and objectives—not just the first job that comes along.  

At HCR Personnel, we’ll treat you as an individual, not just a number. HCR recruiters have decades of experience and far-reaching connections in the manufacturing, engineering, and industrial sectors. We know which employers are looking for exceptional employees with your skills, knowledge, and goals.  

Give one of our professional recruiters a call today at 416-622-1427, or get in touch online today.