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10 min czytania 3 July 2024

Today’s labour market offers many job opportunities in the manufacturing sector, which is growing rapidly. Manufacturing jobs are becoming available to people with a wide range of qualifications and experience, making the manufacturing industry continually open to new talent and innovation. What are the job opportunities in manufacturing? What is it like to work in the manufacturing sector? How much does a production worker earn? What is worth knowing about this type of work? What should a production worker be able to do?

Production work – what does it involve?

Production work involves a wide range of product manufacturing activities. Depending on the industry and the specifics of the production facility, responsibilities can vary widely. Production work can involve a variety of manufacturing industries such as automotive, construction, electronics, cosmetics, chemicals or food.

People employed in this industry perform a variety of tasks that may include operating machinery, assembling components, quality control and packaging finished products.

The daily duties of production workers often begin with preparing the workstation, setting the parameters of machines and equipment according to production requirements and checking that all necessary raw materials and components are available. During production, workers monitor the operation of machines, ensure that they are functioning properly and take corrective action in the event of breakdowns.

What are the positions in a production job?

A production worker’s position can actually involve a variety of jobs, depending on qualifications, experience, level of responsibility and type of workplace. Production worker – what positions does it cover?

• Production worker (basic positions that include production line operator, package packer, etc.)
• quality controller, production controller,
• maintenance technician,
• foreman/shift leader,
• process engineer/production engineer
• CNC operator, drilling machine operator,
• welder, fitter, turner, locksmith, miller, grinder, varnisher, galvaniser, tinsmith, welder, upholsterer, carpenter, seamstress, printer,
• electrician, electromechanic, power engineer, mechatronics technician, automatics technician, plumber,
• service technician,
• supply quality control specialist, environmental protection specialist, logistics specialist
• health and safety inspector
• plant designer
• warehouseman, forklift operator.

Responsibilities of a production worker

Production jobs can involve a variety of tasks and responsibilities depending on the job title. However, when looking at this entry-level position, which is the one most commonly filled by job applicants, the responsibilities include:

• packaging, labelling of products,
• working on the production line,
• assembling parts manually or by machine,
• checking product quality,
• operating machines,
• observing health and safety rules,
• keeping the workplace clean,
• inspecting assembled goods parts,
• unloading, sorting and storage of shipments,
• reporting on the production process,
• carrying out functional tests.

Does the position of production worker require specialised education?

Jobs as a production worker mostly do not require specialised education. The most common job offers are for a general production worker who is involved in operating a production line, packaging or assembling goods. These are not jobs that require specific knowledge. Most employers will accept production workers without experience, although experience is of course welcome. For other jobs where the production worker is responsible for tasks requiring specialised knowledge, the employer may require special qualifications, experience or even an education in this field.

Those who want to work in production but manage a team or do technical or clerical work usually need to have a university degree in a specific field, e.g. robotics and automation, mechatronics, management, etc.

Production work – what are the working conditions?

Working conditions in production can vary depending on the type of production facility. Production work, however, often takes place in production halls, which are spacious, noisy and sometimes automated. The environment can also be subject to varying weather conditions, especially if production takes place outdoors.

Production facilities must comply with strict health and safety regulations. Workers must wear special work clothes, including protective clothing such as helmets, reflective waistcoats, goggles, protective gloves, etc. Vocational training and health and safety training are done so that each worker is aware of the risks involved in working in production.

In the case of production where hazardous or harmful substances are present, ventilation systems, exhaust extraction or other measures may be used to minimise the risk of occupational diseases.

Production work involves physical labour, which can be demanding. Workers may be involved in heavy lifting, prolonged standing or walking. It is therefore a job that requires full physical fitness.

Depending on the industry and the needs of the production, production work often takes place in shifts, which may include working nights, weekends or holidays.

Production worker skills – what do you need to have?

Today’s production facilities not only supply a variety of products to the market, but also offer a wide range of employment opportunities for people with different skills and experience. Production workers play a vital role not only in the manufacturing process itself, but also in maintaining high standards of quality and workplace safety. What skills should a production worker have?

• manual, technical skills,
• ability to work in a team,
• good organisation of work,
• taking care of safety and cleanliness of the workplace,
• accuracy and precision
• communication skills,
• physical fitness,
• problem-solving,
• flexibility.

Is it worth working as a production worker?

Of course! Working in production can be rewarding for many reasons:

• Stable employment – production work often offers stable work especially in large industrial companies. The growing demand for many different products means that there is a constant need for production workers. Employers often hire on a contract basis, but also need workers on a contract basis.
• Opportunities for professional development – although working in manufacturing is not associated with much professional development, many workplaces continue to develop technologically and offer training programmes and courses.
• Earnings – working in manufacturing can be well rewarded, especially with additional productivity bonuses, shift work or more specialised roles.
• Flexibility – working in manufacturing is mostly shift work, which can be a major advantage for people who need to be flexible.

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