Production Worker (Manufacturing)
What is the work like?
Production workers, also known as process operatives or factory workers, are involved in manufacturing goods and parts in a variety of industries, such as pharmaceuticals, food and drink, construction, and light and heavy engineering.
Your specific duties as a production worker would depend upon the industry you work in but could include:
- measuring, grading and feeding batches of raw materials into production machinery
- operating production line equipment, for example a conveyor line in a canning factory or an assembly line in a car plant
- assembling goods on a production line, for instance fitting circuit boards into computers
- reporting equipment faults to maintenance staff
- finishing products, for example applying protective coatings
- monitoring the production process and carrying out basic testing and quality checks
- storing goods and raw materials in the factory or warehouse, using lifting equipment and forklift trucks
- packing goods ready for shipment in crates or other containers
- cleaning and maintaining work areas and machinery.
You would usually work as part of a team under the supervision of a shift leader, carrying out several tasks on a rotation basis, either within the same shift or within the same working week.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need any particular qualifications to become a production worker, although some GCSEs, such as English and maths may be helpful. Some employers would put you through a selection process, involving assessments to test your practical skills.
You may be able to get into this job by starting on a manufacturing Apprenticeship. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
See the websites for Cogent, Improve and Proskills for more details about jobs and careers in manufacturing.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you start work, your employer would normally give you induction training. This would cover the manufacturing process, health and safety, staff welfare and your conditions of employment. After your induction, you would move on to the production line, working with a supervisor or trainer who would support your progress until you are competent in the job.
You could take various NVQ qualifications whilst working, which include:
- Performing Manufacturing Operations levels 1 and 2
- Food Manufacture levels 1, 2 and 3
- Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Petrochemical Manufacture levels 1 to 4.
These are just some examples of work-based qualifications but there are many more. You can find more details about them on the websites for Cogent, Improve and Proskills.
Where can I go for more information?
Unit 5, Mandarin CourtCentre Park
Warrington
Cheshire
WA1 1GG
Tel: 01925 515200
2 Innovation Close
York
YO10 5ZF
Tel: 0845 644 0448
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Average starting salaries for production workers are between £11,000 and £14,500 a year.
- More experienced staff and those with supervisory duties can earn between £15,000 and £20,000 a year.
There may be additional payments for unsocial shifts, overtime and productivity bonuses.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You could work full-time or part-time, covering a variety of shifts, including days, nights and weekends. Overtime is often available.
Most of your work would take place in a factory on a production line. You may spend a lot of your time standing while operating machinery, or sitting at a workbench or assembly line. Your working conditions would vary according to your industry and you would normally wear protective clothing, such as overalls and safety shoes.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good practical skills
- the ability to work quickly and methodically
- good teamworking skills
- the ability to concentrate while doing repetitive tasks
- the ability to follow instructions
- an awareness of health and safety
- a willingness to work flexibly.
What opportunities are there?
You can find production worker jobs in all areas of manufacturing, with the largest concentrations of jobs in the Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, the north-west and the south-east. Vacancies are normally advertised in Jobcentre Plus, recruitment agencies and the local press.
Demand for manufacturing production workers is set to fall between now and 2012 but some sub-sectors are still doing well, for example pharmaceuticals and electronics. Despite the overall decrease in demand, it is anticipated that this will be offset to some extent by the need for replacement manufacturing workers, particularly in food and drink, metals and tobacco.
Many industries are shifting to automated processes, higher value products and niche markets, for example organic food production and processing, so if you have some technical skills you are likely to fare better.
You could gain promotion to shift supervisor, with experience or move into quality control. You could also take up machine maintenance jobs with further training. You could find opportunities in related areas like freight transport, distribution and warehousing.
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