Woodworking machine operator, Kaiwhakamahi mīhini tārei rākau
Also known as
- Wood machinist, woodworking machine setter, furniture maker, joinery machinist, chipper operator, edge bander operator, wood and wood products labourer
Woodworking machine operators set up and operate woodworking machines such as saws, drill presses, lathes, routers, sanders and wood nailing machines.
Your pay could be
$50K
Lower
$55K to $86K
Most common
$112K
Upper
How does this pay compare?
Pay is before tax
Your training could be
0-3 years
Woodworking machine operators
- usually work shifts, including evenings and weekends
- usually work in workshops and may travel locally
- may work in noisy and dusty conditions
- may do physically demanding work
- need to be practical, accurate and safety conscious
Tasks
- operate woodworking machines and equipment
- select wood and materials for jobs
- mount tools and attachments onto machines
- feed wood through machines
- run test cuts to check settings
- adjust machine settings
- monitor machines for issues
- inspect wood before and after processing
- measure finished pieces
Practical
Organised
Investigative
Interests that fit this job
Interest quiz,
Kairoro Kaingākau
Do the Interest quiz to find out how well your interests fit with this job.
Do the quizYou usually need to do an apprenticeship to become a wood working machine operator.
You may need
- to do an apprenticeship in wood-based manufacturing
- a New Zealand Certificate in Solid Wood Manufacturing (Level 4)
- a New Zealand Certificate in Joinery (Level 4)
- a New Zealand Certificate in Furniture (Level 4)
- a driver licence
- a driver licence with a special-type vehicle endorsement
If you’re in school
You usually need NCEA Level 2 to do the study or training for this job.
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