Job market information
Finding out about paper
The paper industry is part of the process manufacturing sector, represented by Proskills Sector Skills Council. This sector also includes the following industries: building products; coatings; extractive and mineral process; furniture, furnishing and interiors; glass and related industries; ceramics; plus print and printed packaging. In addition, there are several industries that are aligned with Proskills industries, including: glazing and window manufacture; soft furnishings; design; paper merchants; and mining services. The sector as a whole currently employs an estimated 810,000 people in around 76,900 workplaces. Since 1998, there has been a steady decline in the numbers employed in the sector as a whole and the number of workplaces, but productivity in the sector has continued to increase over the same period. Overall, the sector will need to recruit almost 93,000 people up to 2017 to replace those retiring or leaving the sector.
The UK paper industry covers the manufacture of: pulp; paper and paperboard; corrugated paper and paperboard and of containers of paper and paperboard; household and sanitary goods and of toilet requisites; paper stationery; and other articles of paper and paperboard. In addition, the industry includes paper merchants. The paper industry uses a mixture of traditional and modern processes. Most employees in paper‐making are involved in the manufacturing processes and maintenance of the highly technical papermaking machinery.
Key facts:
- There are an estimated 99,000 people employed in the industry, across 3,600 workplaces.
- Workers in the industry tend to be full‐time and directly employed, rather than on a contract basis.
- Work is often shift‐based, especially in lower levels jobs.
- 19% of the workforce has a Level 1 or entry level qualification, 23% a Level 2, 25% a Level 3, 8% a Level 4 and 11% a Level 5 qualification.
- Annual turnover for the industry is currently around £3.2 billion.
- There are 1,008 sole traders in the industry.
Jobs in the industry range from: CAD operators, CNC engineers, research scientists‐nanotechnologies, warehouse assistant, production manager, paper technologist, production manufacturing worker, paper manufacturing operative.
Entry and progression
There is a range of relevant industry courses, vocational qualifications and training schemes available.
There are a wide range of opportunities for those wishing to change career direction and enter the industry, particularly in the service section and entry level manufacturing jobs. In addition, there are opportunities for more experienced applicants in higher level positions, such as chemical process engineers, paper and board technologists, paper chemists, quality control managers, and supervisory roles. Although most paper companies prefer to promote internally, there are a number of positions for external applicants.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
99,000 |
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| Number of UK employers: |
3,600 |
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| Gender: |
79% male |
21% female |
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| Ethnicity: |
94% of the workforce is white, 2% Black or Black British, 2% Asian or Asian British, 1% Chinese or other ethnic background, and 1% mixed |
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| Age: |
8% of workforce is 16-24 years |
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| 15% 25-34 years |
| 34% 35-44 years |
| 23% 45-54 years |
| 20% 55-64 years |
| 1% 65 years and over |
| Disability: |
14% of the workforce considers themselves to have a disability |
|---|
Employment trends and future prospects
There has been a decline in the number of employees in the paper industry over the last decade.
Skill requirements and shortages
Generally, the skill needs for the future will be in higher level management and technical operations. There will be a continuing need for health and safety skills in the industry. It will become more important for people to be multi‐skilled and able to work across several areas of the business.
Skill shortages in the industry include:
- Employability skills, such as team‐working, having a good attitude, and using initiative
- Craft and Technical skills, such as engineering and paper‐making
- Management and Leadership skills
Occupational trends
The largest occupational groups in the industry are:
- Process Plant and Machine Operatives
- Managers and Senior Officials
- Elementary Occupations
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 13,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 390 workplaces.
East of England – There are an estimated 6,700 employees in the regional workforce, in around 430 workplaces.
London – There are an estimated 4,200 employees in the regional workforce, in around 360 workplaces.
North East – There are an estimated 7,600 employees in the regional workforce, in around 90 workplaces.
North West – There are an estimated 23,500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 530 workplaces.
South East – There are an estimated 10,900 employees in the regional workforce, in around 450 workplaces. There is a very active cluster of paper mills in the South East.
South West – There are an estimated 3,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 workplaces.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 800 employees in the regional workforce, in around 340 workplaces.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 13,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 310 workplaces.
Scotland – There are an estimated 7,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 200 workplaces.
Northern Ireland – There are less than 2,000 employees in the regional workforce, in less than 50 workplaces.
Wales – There are an estimated 6,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 200 workplaces.
Salary levels
There is limited information on pay scales in this industry, so the following only provides an indication of the average annual salaries:
- Paper manufacturing operative – starting salaries around £12,000, rising to between £14,000 and £21,000 with experience
- Production manufacturing worker – starting salaries between £11,000 and £14,500, rising to between £15,000 and £20,000 with experience
- Paper technologist – starting salaries between £17,000 and £20,000, rising to more than £25,000 with experience
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Proskills AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
