Food processing worker Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a food processing worker you would usually work on a fast moving production line, which has food passing along on conveyor belts, through different stages such as mixing, cooking and packing.

Your duties could also include:

• checking and controlling the machinery that processes the food
• making sure the production line has a constant supply of raw materials or ingredients
• adjusting the speed of the conveyor belt if necessary
• checking instruments such as temperature gauges, at regular intervals
• keeping machines clean at all times.

When problems occur with the production process, you would stop the machine and report the fault to a supervisor or engineer.

Hours

You would usually work between 37 and 40 hours a week over five days. Some factories operate a shift system involving evening, night and weekend work. Overtime is often available.

Your job would mainly take place on the production line of a large factory. The temperature in a factory will vary depending on the type of food being processed.

You will work to high standards of hygiene and you will wear clean, protective clothing and a hat or hairnet.

Income

Starting salaries can be around £11,900 a year, although apprentices may earn less. With experience this can rise to between £13,500 and £16,500 a year. Shift leaders and supervisors may earn up to £25,000.

Overtime and shift allowances can greatly increase these figures. Some factories pay as much as 30% extra to staff working through the night.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You may be able to start as a food processing worker without any qualifications. However, some employers may prefer you to have some GCSEs. A good secondary education may also help your career prospects, for example if you wish to move into a supervisory role.

You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. The most suitable Apprenticeships are the Improve Proficiency Apprenticeship in Food and Drink (Food Industry Skills) and the Improve Proficiency Apprenticeship in Food and Drink (Food Manufacturing Excellence).

To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

Training and development

Once you are working, you will usually receive on-the-job training covering issues such as health and safety, food hygiene, and technical aspects of the production line process. You may also be encouraged to work towards qualifications such as:

• Award, Certificate and/or Diploma for Proficiency in Food Industry Skills at Levels 2 and 3
• Award, Certificate and/or Diploma for Proficiency in Food Manufacturing Excellence at Levels 2, 3 and 4
• Certificate in Food Safety
• Certificate in Health and Safety.

Skills and knowledge

To be a food processing worker you should have:

• the ability to follow instructions and procedures
• a good understanding of health and safety and basic hygiene rules
• good powers of observation to spot problems with produce
• the ability to maintain concentration for repetitive tasks
• accuracy and attention to detail
• the ability to act quickly when there is a problem
• good teamworking skills and the ability to work alone.

More information

Improve Ltd
Providence House
2 Innovation Close
York
YO10 5ZF
Tel: 0845 644 0448
www.improveltd.co.uk

The Food and Drink Federation
6 Catherine Street
London
WC2B 5JJ
Tel: 020 7836 2460
www.fdf.org.uk

Opportunities

The food production industry in the UK is vast, so opportunities for career progression are good. Many companies offer internal promotion leading to supervisory and management posts.

Employers in this area often specialise in one aspect of food production, such as baking, freezing or brewing. In some cases process work is seasonal, for example, canning and freezing soft fruit and vegetables.

Jobs are advertised in the local and national press, in Jobcentre Plus offices, and Directgov (Jobseekers page).

• Directgov (Jobseekers page).