Career Suggestion

Production worker (manufacturing)

Production workers manufacture goods and parts in industries like food and drink, pharmaceuticals, battery technology and engineering.

Average salary (a year)

£22000.0 to £28000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

40.0 to 48.0 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, for example:

  • Engineering and Manufacturing Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
  • Lean Manufacturing Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Food and Drink Process Operator Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Battery Manufacturing Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

There are many other apprenticeships available, covering specific manufacturing industries, such as automotive, chemicals and engineering.

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Direct Application

You could apply for production jobs directly. Some employers may look for GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent qualifications. Experience of production line work would be useful.

You may have to take a test at interview to assess your practical skills.

More Information

Career Tips

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Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • observation and recording skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day-to-day tasks

As a production worker, your could:

  • measure, grade and feed raw materials into production machinery
  • operate equipment like factory conveyor lines
  • assemble goods on a production line
  • report equipment faults to maintenance staff
  • monitor production and carry out basic testing and quality checks
  • store goods and raw materials, using lifting equipment
  • clean and maintain work areas and machinery

Working environment

You could work in a factory or in a warehouse.

Your working environment may be noisy.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

With experience, you could become a shift supervisor, line manager or move into quality control.

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