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Plastics process worker
Hours
37-40 per week
Starting salary
£12,000 + per year
WorkDesc
The work
As a plastics process worker, you would control factory machinery that makes all kinds of mass-produced plastic items.
In this job your duties may include:
- weighing and mixing raw materials
- feeding materials into the machine
- adjusting the machine's settings
- monitoring the production process
- carrying out basic maintenance on the machines
- making quality control checks on products
- recycling any sub-standard items
- trimming excess plastic (known as 'flash') from products
- recording how much raw material has been used during production and number of items produced
- making sure that production runs smoothly
- calling in supervisors or engineers if there are problems
- labelling, stacking and packing products.
Since there are many types of manufacturing methods such as injection moulding or extrusion, you would become familiar with several different types of machine.
HoursDesc
Hours
Your normal working week would be 37 to 40 hours, which may include shift work and night work covering seven days a week.
You would work in a factory or workshop. The environment is usually clean and well-ventilated, but it may bewarm because the production processes involve heating raw materials.
You would wear protective clothing such as overalls, face masks and gloves. The work can involve bending, lifting and standing for long periods.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Apprenticeship salaries can be around £12,000 a year
- With experience, earnings can rise to between £16,000 and £19,000
- Team leaders and process technicians may earn up to £25,000 to £30,000 a year.
Salaries may be increased by shift allowances and overtime.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You don't need qualifications to become a plastics process worker, although employers will expect you to have a reasonable standard of English and maths for reading instructions and making basic calculations.
You will find it useful to have previous experience of factory work and operating machines.
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. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
You will be trained on the job by your employer. You could work towards a relevant NVQ, such as:
- Polymer Processing and Related Operations at levels 1, 2 and 3
- Performing Manufacturing Operations at levels 1 and 2.
Alternatively, your employer may arrange for you to study for a BTEC Certificate or Diploma in Applied Science by day release at a local college. Colleges will usually ask for at least four GCSEs (A-C) or NVQ level 2 for entry.
If you progress to process technician, you may be able to take a BTEC HNC/HND in Applied Chemistry or a degree in a relevant scientific or engineering subject. Your employer may sponsor you to study part-time.
The National Skills Academy - Process Industries has details of short courses to maintain and further your skills throughout your career. See The National Skills Academy website for more details.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
- the ability to follow instructions and production schedules
- fast, accurate working
- willingness to do repetitive tasks
- good levels of concentration and attention to detail
- basic maths skills
- the ability to work as part of team
- the ability to work without constant supervision
- awareness of health and safety
- good eyesight, for checking the quality of finished items.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
The National Skills Academy Process Industries 
5 Pioneer Court
Morton Palms Business Park
Darlington
DL1 4WD
Tel: 01325 740 900
http://process.nsacademy.co.uk
Cogent
Unit 5, Mandarin Court
Centre Park
Warrington
Cheshire
WA1 1GG
Tel: 01925 515200
www.cogent-ssc.com
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
Jobs may be advertised in the local press, in Jobcentre Plus and by agencies that specialise in industrial recruitment.
With experience, you could work on more specialised machinery, move into quality control work or progress to supervisor/team leader. With further study, you could become a process technician or polymer technologist.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
The polymer industry is part of the broader science‐based sector represented by Cogent Sector Skills Council, which also includes chemicals, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and pharmaceuticals industries. Most goods used by people in their homes, at work and in their everyday activities are products derived from the chemical, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries. The combined industries represent nearly half a million people in the UK and are of huge economic and strategic importance to the UK.
The polymer industry comprises four discrete processing areas: plastics processing; rubber processing; polymer composites processing; and sign making. The industry is considered to be dynamic, as it is subject to opportunities arising from technological change, development of new materials and processing technology. Additionally, the development of new products and changes respond to consumer requirements.
The industry requires innovators, technologists, designers and highly‐skilled processing technicians to remain at the forefront of developments and changes in the world demand for more versatile, lightweight, low‐cost and energy‐saving products and applications.
Key facts:
- The industry is very sensitive to commodity and energy prices, and waste policy.
- Total employment in the polymers industry has decreased since 1998.
- 64% of research and development in the industry is funded by the industry itself.
- There has been an overall increase in research and development spending since 1998.
- Skills gaps exist at higher levels and people are needed with good knowledge of competitive business techniques.
- New technologies have enabled the industry to remain competitive, despite the growing competition from foreign markets.
- The number of polymer enterprises has declined in the last 10 years.
- The UK is one of the top five plastics processing countries in the European Union.
- The UK rubber industry is dominated by a small number of large firms, whereas plastics is characterised by small to medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in niche markets.
Jobs in the industry are divided into:
- Plastics – lab assistant, product manager, quality control inspector, tool maker, R&D manager, process technician, polymer technician, plant facilities manager
- Sign making – paint sprayer, sign maker/writer, estimator, graphic designer, vinyl applicator, project planner, contract manager, site surveyor.
National and regional data
Across Great Britain, there are an estimated 179,200 people working in polymers manufacturing and processing. The largest number of employees is located in:
- North West
- East Midlands
- West Midlands
- East of England
- South East
There are significant clusters of polymer businesses in North Yorkshire, the Humberside, the Isle of Wight, Central Scotland, and around Cardiff, Swansea and Newport. Businesses are spread across the North West and West Midlands regions.
Career paths
Careers in the industry are usually well‐paid and long‐term, with opportunities throughout the UK and often worldwide too. For further information:
Further sources
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