What Does a Production Worker Do? – Do you want to be a part of the Production Team at your company? Do you want to work with people who are passionate about their work? If so, then this is the blog for you! In this blog post, we will be discussing the different steps that you need to take in order to become a production worker. We will also cover some of the important factors that you will need to consider in order to make the decision that is best for you.
Learn About Being a Production Worker in 2024
If you want to be successful in the workforce, you need to be proficient in at least one skill. And that skill is production work. If you want to be a production worker, you need to be able to produce things. From manufacturing to advertising, production work is all about producing things. So if you’re looking for a career that will help you build a life and make a lot of money, production work is the place for you!
What does a production worker do?
A production worker is someone who helps make things happen in a factory or company. They might be responsible for cleaning, organizing, and working on the machines. A production worker can also work in a marketing or sales position. In many industries, there are multiple production workers. This means that you might have one production worker working on your product and another working on the marketing aspect of the product.
A production worker helps create, assemble and test products or their parts. They may also test the parts or finished products they create to ensure they meet specifications, quality and safety standards. Production workers usually work as part of an assembly line at a factory or manufacturing facility. Duties for production workers vary according to their industry and workplace, but often include:
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Assembling parts or products by hand or using power tools to solder, drill, weld and attach
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Monitoring equipment and machinery and fixing any problems detected or referring them to a supervisor
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Keeping workstation and facility floor clean and free of hazards
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Observing assembly line and removing faulty parts or products detected
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Inspecting assembled products to ensure they meet quality and safety specifications
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Attaching labels, company logos and other details to finished products
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Packing up finished products for shipping
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Unloading, organizing and stocking shipments
Average salary
Production workers receive a salary based on their relevant experience, location and employer’s discretion. Experience is the key indicator of salary, with employers paying highly experienced production employees more than entry-level employees.
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Common salary in the U.S.: $13.22 per hour
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Some salaries range from $7.25 to $21.05 per hour.
Production workers requirements
Production workers require a combination of the following qualifications to secure employment:
Education
A high school diploma or GED is the only educational requirement for most production worker jobs. Production workers interested in highly technical work – in automobile or aeronautics engineering facilities, for example – may require an associate’s degree. An Associate of Applied Science in Machining and Product Development or Associate of Applied Science in Manufacturing Technology can help aspiring production workers obtain a skilled production worker position.
Training
Production workers typically receive on-the-job training when they take a new position. They might train in a group of new hires or receive one-on-one training from a more experienced production worker. On-the-job training familiarizes new production workers with their duties, company processes and safety procedures, including safe machine operation.
Some technical industries require their production workers to attend pre-employment training programs. Aspiring production workers must pass an aptitude test before being accepted into one of these community college and technical school programs. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experiences, these programs teach students about industry regulations and practices, such as how to produce sterile medical equipment in an aseptic environment.
Certifications
Certification can help production workers prove their competency and secure higher-paying positions. In most cases, certification is voluntary. However, it is a requirement in some highly technical industries that require their production workers to perform complex tasks. Some common certifications for production workers include:
Certified IPC Specialist
Issued by the Institute of Printed Circuits (IPC), this certification shows an understanding of acceptance criteria for electronics. The training course has modules in hardware installation, soldering, terminal connections and through-hole technology.
Certified Automation Profession
Issued by the International Society of Automation (ISA), this certification shows comprehensive knowledge of automation and controls. The training course teaches about automated system design, development, deployment, operation and maintenance.
Good Manufacturing Practices Facility Certification
Issued by the Center for Professional Innovation and Education (CfPIE), this certification shows a thorough understanding of pharmaceutical, biological and biopharmaceutical manufacturing guidelines. The training courses feature core subjects, including good manufacturing practices, computer systems validation, process validation and reporting procedures and electives. Certified production workers complete three core courses and one elective.
Certified Production Technician
Issued by the MSCC, this certification recognizes mastery of advanced manufacturing techniques. The training course features lessons in quality practices and measurement, safety, manufacturing processes and production and maintenance awareness. A green production topic is optional for production workers in industries concerned with sustainability.
Requirements for these certifications vary. However, after studying the coursework, production workers must pass an examination testing their knowledge of the topics covered to receive their certificate. Most certifications must be renewed every few years. Participation in ongoing education and examinations may be required to maintain certification.
Skills
Production workers rely on their technical skills to ensure parts and finished products are created and packaged to a high standard. Factories and manufacturing plants look for production workers with the following attributes:
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Technical skills: Production workers use their technical skills to operate equipment and machinery skillfully and safely, producing and assembling parts to a high standard. Technical skills are especially important for production workers assembling small, delicate parts.
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Attention to detail: Production workers rely on their attention to detail to identify problems with equipment and parts and resolve them before they impact their employer or customers.
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Problem-solving: If problems with equipment or production are identified, production workers use their problem-solving skills to troubleshoot and resolve these issues.
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Teamwork: Production workers are part of an assembly line, so they need to work well with others. They should be personable with a good understanding of how their work impacts the work of their colleagues.
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Active listening: Production workers receive instructions from their supervisors during their shifts. Their ability to comprehend directives helps them produce high-quality work and stay safe.
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Efficiency: Being efficient helps production workers complete their tasks quickly and to a high standard. Time management and organization enable these professionals to complete work as such.
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Physical fitness: Production workers spend most of their time standing and walking. They may also need to lift heavy machinery or parts, so good physical fitness is important.
Production worker work environment
Production workers work full- or part-time hours at factories and manufacturing plans. Night, weekend and public holiday work may be required, in addition to shifts during the standard working week, depending on the employer. Overtime hours are also common, especially during peak manufacturing periods.
Working as a production worker is physically demanding, with workers spending most of their time standing and moving about their workplace. Production workers in some industries, such as the automotive sector, also lift heavy parts for assembly. Production workers must wear protective clothes and accessories, including safety glasses, gloves and hairnets, to keep themselves safe and maintain the quality of their parts and products.
How to become a production worker
Here are the steps needed to pursue this career path:
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Complete your high school education. A high school diploma or GED is the minimum requirement for production workers.
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Consider a relevant associate degree. Production workers interested in technical industries may continue their studies and earn an associate’s degree in manufacturing technology or machining and product development.
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Gain certification. While it is not always necessary, many production workers gain certification for a competitive advantage in the job market. Certification may be preferred or even required in technical industries.
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Update your resume. Update your resume to show potential employers your education and any certification. Remember to highlight your skills and recent achievements, including volunteer work.
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Apply for production worker jobs. Send your resume and a personalized cover letter to factories and manufacturing facilities hiring production workers. Remember to highlight the ways you feel you would be the best candidate for each specific position.
Production worker job description example
Zoom Vehicles is seeking a skilled and experienced production worker to perform various tasks in our busy factory. The ideal candidate will have some mechanical and construction experience, ideally in the car industry, and strong technical aptitude. The successful applicant will be responsible for operating production line equipment, finishing products and reporting any issues with equipment directly to maintenance supervisors. While certification is not essential, Certified production technicians are encouraged to apply. If you love being part of a team and have a passion for cars, we would love to hear from you.
Related careers
Are you thinking about a career change? Or are you considering a career change but don’t know where to start? Here are some related careers that may be a good fit for you.