what is a production worker?
A production worker operates machines and equipment in a factory to produce a specific product. You help manufacture everything from medication and food products to large engine parts. Production workers also work in warehouses, preparing items for distribution. You either have a regular working area or perform a variety of tasks that are assigned daily. The job involves repeating the same physical tasks, and you should match your work pace to the equipment speed.
As a production worker, you assist in assembling products or monitor equipment during production to check for product defects. You work closely with colleagues to ensure the product quality meets the required standards and deadlines. You also maintain the work area following health and safety standards and ensure efficiency.
You can find production worker jobs in any industry. Most production workers work in manufacturing industries for goods, drinks and food. Pharmaceutical industries also hire production workers to produce medicine and medical equipment. Some production workers work in technology industries, manufacturing phones, laptops and other electronic devices.
Would working in manufacturing as a production worker suit your excellent physical skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a production worker role.
production worker jobsaverage production worker salary
According to National Careers, the average salary of a production worker ranges from £17,000 to £24,000 per year. When you are new in the role with minimal experience, your earnings start at £17,000 per year. As you gain experience, your compensation package gradually increases to £24,000 yearly.
how to increase your salary as a production worker
The primary determinants of salaries are qualifications and experience. While production workers don't need post-secondary education, extra certifications in machine operations increase your compensation package. You can also negotiate a higher salary when you have valuable transferrable skills from working many years in the role.
Some industries pay more due to the complexity of the role. For instance, if you work in the pharmaceutical industry, your earnings are slightly higher than manufacturing production workers. The types of goods the company manufactures may also influence your earnings. When you work in equipment or electronic manufacturing, the technical knowledge required in the role improves your salary prospects.
types of production workers
Some types of production workers include:
- handlers: a handler is a production worker who packages finished products for shipping. Your job includes boxing items and stacking boxes on pallets to prepare them for moving to the warehouse. Sometimes, you pack containers and trucks using forklifts.
- forklift operator: as a production worker, your job involves lifting heavy products or items using a forklift. You weigh the packages and use the forklift to organise them for shipping. If you load and offload the items onto the trucks, it is essential to ensure the goods have labels.
- assembly-line worker: as an assembly-line worker, you assemble electronic or metal parts during the production process. You also monitor machines' functions to ensure they work properly.
working as a production worker
Working as a production worker involves creating tangible items that improve human lives. Discover more about the role, including duties, responsibilities and work schedules.
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production worker job description
The duties of a production worker vary depending on the factory's products and processes. Some of the key responsibilities in this field include:
- operating machines: your main role as a production worker is to operate equipment within the production facility. You gather the raw materials, assess their quality and feed them into the production machine. It's also your job to make machine adjustments like setting the speed based on production requirements. Production workers also inspect and service equipment to ensure a smooth operation.
- sorting and packing products: as a production worker, you arrange the items in a particular sequence, by size or other categories. You also pack products using the correct packaging materials and sort them based on their destination for easier shipping.
- cleaning the workplace: production workers in all types and sizes of factories maintain a clean and organised workstation in compliance with health and safety regulations. It is important to clean the equipment at the end of the production session.
- monitoring product quality: as a production worker, you perform inspections daily to ensure products meet specific standards. You also check the output to ensure that you manufacture similar products and record all the defective items.
- ensuring you follow health and safety procedures: accidents like slips, strains and crashes often happen in a factory setting. It's your responsibility to ensure that you're always equipped with the correct gear, such as gloves, goggles and safety shoes, to prevent injuries.
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work environment
Generally, production workers spend most of their time indoors in a factory or warehouse. Some production workers work while seated, monitoring machinery and materials, while others stand for long periods and bend or lift moderate to heavy items. Expect to handle or transport some hazardous or fragile items. You work either in a very noisy and fume-heavy environment or a clean and sterile factory; the latter scenario is especially true for those dealing in food items and pharmaceuticals. The job is quite demanding, and the environment is pressured to meet strict deadlines.
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who are your colleagues?
Whether you work as a production worker or a production operative in manufacturing or pharmaceutical companies, your colleagues might include factory workers, quality engineers, machine operators, material handler and warehouse workers. You also work in close proximity to bottlers and welders, as well as other specialists that could include factory managers, assembly-line supervisors and production supervisors.
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work schedule
At a minimum, production workers work the standard rate of 40 hours per week. However, when the orders increase or deadlines approach, expect to work up to 10 hours daily. Since most factories function on a 24/7 basis, production workers work either a day shift or at night while preparing shipment that leaves early in the morning. Overtime is common in production plants, and you should expect to work on weekends and holidays to fulfil large orders. Manufacturing companies hire production workers both on a full-time and a part-time basis. Due to the nature of the production worker role, you cannot work from home.
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job outlook
Even with technology replacing most workers, production plants always need a workforce to help complete specific technical tasks. As the manufacturing industry faces massive changes due to digitalisation, production workers should keep up. It is helpful to improve your knowledge and learn more skills to increase your future job chances. Most companies need specialists to handle the new technology and changing demands.
As the world continues to industrialise, more factories emerge, creating job opportunities for qualified and experienced production workers. In time, you can progress to senior positions like supervisor, quality control specialist or production manager.
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advantages of finding a production worker job through randstad
Finding your production worker job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a production worker is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Working as a production worker doesn't require educational qualifications. However, having post-secondary education improves your employment prospects. Some production workers join the role through an apprenticeship. For instance, you can pursue an intermediate apprenticeship programme in lean manufacturing. The apprenticeship takes 12 months and allows you to learn on the job as you study. GCSEs, including English and maths, are required. Prior work experience in factory settings equips you with the necessary skills for the role.
production worker skills and competencies
Production workers with industry-specific skills have a chance to bargain for a higher salary. If you want to succeed in this career, build on the following attributes:
- strong communication skills: good communication skills are vital for any production worker. Employers require individuals who engage with their co-workers to troubleshoot production issues and work toward a common goal. Communication skills help you pass information effectively to your team members. Communication skills also make you an active listener.
- attention to detail: speed and precision are vital in manufacturing. Carelessness and mistakes affect the entire production process, leading to defects and lost time. While operating the machines, mistakes endanger your life or that of your co-workers. Attentiveness to detail helps you avoid accidents and maintain health standards.
- critical thinking: employers are looking for production workers who make sound decisions if unforeseen issues arise at work. Remember that supervisors will not always be present to resolve issues, so you should be able to find the best solutions for even complex problems.
- aptitude for technology: technology is constantly changing the operations in the manufacturing industry. Employers require production workers who are interested in technology to handle advanced processes.
- good concentration span: production workers work in a fast-paced environment, so it is vital to stay focused. Tasks can be highly repetitive, and a good concentration level will help maintain the quality of products.
- physical stamina: production plants hire people with good physical skills since they work for long periods, lift items and sometimes stand throughout the shift, requiring a high level of stamina.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a production worker
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what does a production worker do?
As a production worker, you work in factories and are responsible for making goods and products. You feed raw materials into machines and ensure the calibrations are correct for the production process.
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what is a factory worker's job description?
A factory worker is an employee who processes, sorts and packages products in an industrial plant. They work in individual stations to put parts together or along the conveyor belt. In some factories, you work with robots to ensure precise and consistent production.
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what skills do you need to work in production?
If you want to work in production, get experience operating computer-aided technologies. It is also crucial to have good problem-solving skills and be efficient in communications, focused and trainable.
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what are production workers' education requirements?
You can land a job as a production worker without formal educational requirements or prior work experience. Most employers provide on-the-job training before work commences.
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how do I apply for a production worker vacancy?
Applying for a production worker job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
