A production worker is involved in the manufacture and packaging of goods such as food and drink products or pharmaceuticals.

The Work

You could be:

• working on a conveyor line, picking and packing food items
• operating machinery for a specific task, such as bottling drinks or sorting pill types
• measuring out ingredients, chemicals or other materials
• putting products into containers
• wrapping and labelling products
• carrying out basic quality checks
• packing finished items (see also Packer)
• keeping work areas clean and organised.

For working in an engineering or electronics firm, see the specific job profiles for Assembler - Electronics or Engineering Assembler.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

The starting salary is often based on the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

As of 1 April 2019 the National Minimum Wage is £4.35 an hour for workers aged 16 to 17, £6.15 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20 and £7.70 an hour for workers aged 21 to 24. The National Living Wage is £8.21 for workers aged 25 and over. With experience you may earn up to £9.50 an hour or more.

There may be a chance to boost your income through piecework or bonuses.

Conditions

• You will work in a factory, usually at a workbench or conveyer belt.
• Factories are often noisy and dusty.
• The working week is usually 37-40 hours but you may have to work shifts and overtime.
• You usually work as part of a team that has a shift leader.
• You would have to work quickly.
• Work can be repetitive, where you might be doing the same thing over and over.
• You might have to lift heavy objects.
• You may have to wear protective clothing such as goggles, masks, gloves, hats and overalls.

Getting In

• You do not usually need formal qualifications but a good general education is useful. Some employers may prefer you to have English and Maths at National 4 or 5.
• You may have to sit an aptitude test to show your practical skills.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2019

1923

0.5 %

FALL

2024

1913

  United Kingdom

2019

37922

1.2 %

RISE

2024

38385

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You should have:

• the ability to follow instructions
• good practical skills
• patience
• good hand skills
• an awareness of health and safety
• teamworking skills.

You should be able to:

• work carefully, quickly and accurately with your hands
• concentrate well, as work may be repetitive.

Training

• Training is on the job and sometimes at a local training centre.
• You would complete in-house training courses including health and safety.
• You could do an employer’s training scheme where you may be able to gain Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs).

Getting On

• With experience you might gain promotion to be a supervisor, chargehand or inspector.
• You might be able to move into specialised types of work.
• You might be able to move on to work in distribution, transport or warehouses.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.