Plastics and Packaging Manufacturing in Ontario
A Sector That Shapes Everyday Life
From reusable water bottles to parts that protect our food and medicines, plastics and packaging manufacturing touches almost every product we use. Ontario’s plants create materials that keep items safe, fresh, and ready to ship around the world. With growing demand for sustainable packaging, the industry is changing fast — offering stable jobs and new innovation.
Opportunities for Indigenous Job Seekers
This sector employs people in design, production, maintenance, logistics, and recycling. You could run extrusion or molding machines, test products for strength and quality, or work on new ways to make packaging eco-friendly. Many roles provide full training and certification support.
Career Paths in Plastics and Packaging - Find A Role That Fits
Machine Operator / Molding Technician
Operate and monitor extrusion, injection-moulding or thermo-forming machines
Operate and monitor extrusion, injection-moulding or thermo-forming machines
Packaging Technician / Quality Control
Inspect finished packaging products
Inspect finished packaging products
Process Improvement Specialist
Improve machine uptime and packaging quality in plastics/packaging plants
Improve machine uptime and packaging quality in plastics/packaging plants
Sample Roles in Plastics and Packaging Manufacturing and others from Manucan
Pathways to Get Started in Plastics
Connecting Innovation and Stewardship
Indigenous knowledge of resource use and respect for the land connects directly to today’s sustainability goals. Many companies are exploring bioplastics, recycling initiatives, and circular-economy models. Your perspective on minimizing waste and protecting the environment is an asset in shaping the industry’s future.
Skills and Pathways
Skills in math, mechanics, or teamwork go a long way here. High-school grads can start in entry-level positions and progress into trades, supervision, or engineering. Specialized training is available through Ontario colleges and employer-run apprenticeship programs.
Example Wage Ranges in Ontario
| Role | Typical Hourly Range |
|---|---|
| Machine Operator | $18 – $26 |
| Quality Control Technician | $21 – $31 |
| Maintenance Electrician | $34 – $46 |
| Process Technician | $24 – $36 |
| Production Supervisor | $28 – $40 |
(Estimates based on Job Bank and Indeed data, 2025)
Pathways to Get Started
Look for manufacturers with Indigenous-hiring commitments or partnerships with local training programs. Certifications like WHMIS, Forklift Safety, or Lean Manufacturing can help your resume stand out. Manucan partners with Ontario employers who respect diversity, sustainability, and reconciliation.Training programs, apprenticeships, and entry-level roles are available across Ontario. Look for employers that highlight Indigenous hiring initiatives or partner with community organizations. Manucan works with companies that are committed to reconciliation and inclusive hiring so you can find opportunities where your background and skills are valued.
Create a Manucan jobseeker profile today to get started.
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