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Lumber graders

OaSIS code 94123.01

Lumber graders inspect and grade lumber to identify defects, to ensure that the lumber conforms to company specifications, and to classify lumber according to industry standards.

Overview

Also known as

  • Lumber grader
  • Lumber marker

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Examine lumber visually for knots, holes, splits and other defects and sort for further drying, trimming or remanufacturing
  • Measure lumber using callipers, gauges and tape measures to ensure specified thickness, length and width
  • Classify and sort lumber according to industry standards and stamp lumber to indicate grade, wood type, moisture level and other characteristics
  • Tally lumber
  • Complete and maintain reports.

Additional information

  • There is some mobility between employers processing similar wood products.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Supervisors, forest products processing (92014)
  • Forest products technologist (in 22100.01 Chemical technologists)
  • Log scaler (in 22112.00 Forestry technologists and technicians)
  • Production technologist - sawmill (in 22302.01 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

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
Judging Quality
4 - High Level
Clerical Activities
3 - Moderate Level
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics
3 - Moderate Level
Handling and Moving Objects
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
2 - Low 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
2 - Less than half the time
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
3 - About 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
1 - Minimally important
Frequency
2 - Once a month or more but not every week

Workplaces/employers

  • Planing mills
  • Sawmills
  • Waferboard plants
  • Wood processing plants
  • Wood treatment plants

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
Auditory Attention
3 - Moderate Level
Body Flexibility
3 - Moderate Level
Colour Perception
3 - Moderate Level
Control of Settings
3 - Moderate Level
Depth Perception
3 - Moderate Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Quality Control Testing
3 - Moderate Level
Coordinating
2 - Low Level
Critical Thinking
2 - Low Level
Decision Making
2 - Low Level
Equipment and Tool Selection
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Independence
4 - Highly important
Attention to Detail
3 - Important
Active Learning
2 - Somewhat important
Adaptability
2 - Somewhat important
Analytical Thinking
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: RCI

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.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

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

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • On-the-job training and up to two weeks of classroom training are provided for lumber graders.
  • Previous experience as a sawmill machine operator, other wood processing operator or as a labourer in wood processing is usually required for graders and inspectors in this unit group.
  • Lumber graders require a lumber grader's licence issued by a provincial lumber association.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Clerical
1 - Basic Level
Forestry
1 - Basic Level
Languages
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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