Bottler
What is the work like?
Bottlers work in food, drink or bottling factories, filling, packing and operating bottling machinery and loading production lines.
As a bottler, your main duties would include:
- setting up machines and starting the bottling process
- sorting out any problems with the production line so bottling is not held up
- reporting more serious machinery problems to your line manager or a technician
- keeping machinery clean and sterile, to meet high standards of health and safety.
You could also have quality control duties, making sure bottles or jars are correctly filled and labelled.
With experience, you could progress to operating a variety of machines in different work areas.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You will not usually need specific qualifications to start work as a bottler, however, some employers may prefer you to have GCSEs (D-E). Check with employers because alternative qualifications may also be accepted.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. 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.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are working as a bottler, you will receive on-the-job training from your employer covering areas such as:
- safety and hygiene
- basic bottling procedures
- operating machinery
- managing bottling processes.
You may be encouraged to work towards NVQ levels 1 to 3 in Food Manufacture. You may also be able to take British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) courses in, for example, factory hygiene.
Where can I go for more information?
Providence House2 Innovation Close
York
YO10 5ZF
Tel: 0845 644 0448
http://www.improve-skills.co.uk/
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries can be around £11,500 to £12,500 a year.
- With experience this may rise to around £15,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work between 37.5 and 40 hours a week, which may include shifts and weekends. Overtime may be available.
You would mainly work in a factory environment, which could be noisy. This work can involve some heavy lifting.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a reasonable level of physical fitness to load bottles on to production lines
- good practical skills with the ability to operate automated machinery
- an awareness of health and safety issues, particularly when using sterilisation fluids and high speed machinery
- the ability to work as part of a team
- accuracy and good attention to detail
- the ability to follow instructions
- the ability to solve basic mechanical problems.
What opportunities are there?
You could find work within factories throughout the UK, bottling products such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, sauces, medicines, cosmetics and baby foods. With experience, you may be able to progress to team supervisor or manager.
Jobs may be advertised in the local press and through Jobcentre Plus offices.
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