Manufacturing operator
Be part of a team making goods or parts, from sorting raw materials to packing the finished products.
Also known as: production worker, production assistant, process operative, factory worker
About the job
Salary
Source: LMI for All
Weekly
£490
Average
Monthly
£2,123
Average
Yearly
£25,480
Average
1,800
people are currently employed
Low growth
100 fewer jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would work as part of a team making goods or parts in industries like pharmaceuticals, food and drink, construction and engineering.
For example, you might operate a conveyor line in a canning factory. Or you could put together goods on a production line. This could involve fitting circuit boards into items such as computers. You would need to work quickly and methodically.
You would:
Measure and grade raw materials
Feed raw materials into production machinery
Operate production line equipment
Assemble goods on a production line
Report equipment faults to maintenance staff
Finish products, for example by applying protective coatings
Monitor the production process and carry out basic testing and quality checks
Store goods and raw materials in the factory or warehouse
Use lifting equipment and forklift trucks
Pack goods ready for shipment in crates or other containers
Clean and maintain work areas and machinery
You would usually work as part of a team under the supervision of a shift leader, carrying out several tasks within the same shift.
Working with machinery means you would need to follow health and safety rules carefully. You’d also need to be able to concentrate for a long time whilst doing repetitive tasks.
Hours
Environment
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Food and drink Chemical sciences
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- taking responsibility
- time management
- concentrating
- attention to detail
- observation
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Engineering Science
Practical Craft Skills
Practical Electronics
Practical Metalwork
Skills for Work: Engineering Skills
There are no formal qualifications required to enter this role but some employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF level 4/5.
Relevant work-based qualifications such as:
a forklift truck licence
Scottish Vocational Qualification in Industrial Application (SVQ level 2)
Or be willing to work towards qualifications once in a job.
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