production operative.

The main factors that can affect your salary are qualifications and experience. While production operatives do not need any post-secondary education, extra certifications are often required, such as for machine operator. This can help increase your salary. You can also negotiate a higher salary after working a few years in the role and improving your skills and experience. 

Certain industries pay higher wages depending on the complexity of the role. For example, if you work in the pharmaceutical industry, your salary is somewhat higher than that of production operatives working in manufacturing. The types of goods and products the company produces can also affect your pay. When you work in equipment or electronic manufacturing, the technical knowledge required for the role can also mean your salary is higher.

A handler is a production worker who packs finished products ready for shipping. Your job includes packaging products and stacking boxes on pallets, to prepare them to be moved on to the warehouse. Sometimes you also pack container goods using forklifts.

As a forklift operator, your job involves lifting heavy products or other items with a forklift. You weigh the packages and use the forklift to organise the products ready for shipping. If you are loading and unloading the products onto lorries, it is important to make sure the products have shipping labels.

As an assembly line worker, you assemble electronic parts or metal parts during the production process. You also monitor the machines' functions to ensure they are working properly.

• operation of machines 

Here your main role as a production operative is to operate equipment within the production facility. You collect the raw materials, assess their quality and feed them into the production machine. It is also your responsibility to make machine adjustments, such as setting the speed based on production requirements. Production operatives inspect and service the equipment to ensure smooth and efficient operation. 

• sorting and packaging of products 

As a production operative in this role, you arrange the products in a certain sequence, size or other categories. You also package the products with the right material suitable for packing. You also sort the products based on where they are to be sent. 

• cleaning of the workplace 

Production operatives, regardless of the type and size of the factory, need to maintain a clean and organised workstation that complies with health and safety regulations. Therefore, it is important to clean your equipment at the end of every shift. 

• monitor product quality 

In this role, as a production operative, you carry out inspections daily to ensure that the products meet specific standards. You also check the production to make sure you are manufacturing the same products all the time, while recording all products that have defects. 

• make sure you follow health and safety procedures

Accidents such as slipping accidents and other environment and situation-based accidents can occur in a factory setting. Therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are always equipped with the correct equipment (for example, gloves, safety glasses and safety shoes) to prevent injuries.

In general, the production operative spends most of their time indoors in a factory or warehouse. Some production workers work while sitting and monitoring machines and product flows, while others stand for long periods or lift heavier objects. 

You can expect to handle or transport certain hazardous or delicate items. You work either in a noisier environment or a clean and sterile factory. The latter scenario applies especially to those working with food and pharmaceuticals.

Whether you work as a production operative or production operator at a manufacturing or pharmaceutical company, your colleagues may be factory workers machine operators oh warehouse worker. You also work closely with, for example welder and other specialists who may be factory managers, assembly line leaders or production managers.

Production operatives work at least 40 hours per week. But when orders increase, expect to work up to 10 hours a day. As most factories operate around the clock, production operatives work either two or three shifts. Overtime is common in production facilities, and you should expect to work weekends and public holidays to keep up with large orders. 

Manufacturing companies hire production operatives both full-time and part-time. As a production operative, you cannot work from home, as you need to be on site to carry out your tasks.

Even though technology has replaced some tasks, production facilities always need staff to help complete specific technical duties. As the manufacturing industry faces various changes due to digitalisation, it’s important for you, if you want to work as a production operative, to keep up. It’s a good idea to improve your skills, gain experience and continue your training, to increase your future job prospects. New technology and changing legal requirements mean that most companies need specialists who can handle the technology and the legal requirements that come with it. 

More factories are emerging as industrialisation advances, creating job opportunities for qualified and experienced production operatives. After you have worked a few years in the industry, more senior positions such as supervisor, quality control specialist or production manager may be roles you can progress to.

There are many advantages to finding a vacant job as a production operative through Randstad: 

• various development and career opportunities

• an experienced contact person who can help you when needed

• many job vacancies within your area

• full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment 

Do you want a permanent position as a production operative? A temporary contract or short-term job as a production worker is often a good first step towards a permanent position. Every year, several people get a permanent job with employers, thanks to a temporary job that has come through us at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent staff directly through Randstad.

Good communication skills are essential for all production operatives. Employers require people who work closely with their colleagues, troubleshoot production problems and work towards a common goal to be good at communicating. Communication skills help you to inform your colleagues effectively and objectively. Communication skills also make you a good listener.

Speed and precision are crucial in manufacturing. Carelessness and mistakes affect the entire production process, leading to defects and lost time. Paying attention to details helps you avoid accidents and maintain health standards.

Employers are looking for production operatives who make good and well-considered decisions if unexpected problems arise at work. Remember that supervisors won't always be present to solve issues, so you should be able to find the best solutions yourself for complex problems.

Technology is constantly changing operations within the manufacturing industry. Employers require production operators who have an interest in technology to manage advanced processes.

Production operatives work in a fast-paced environment, so it's important to stay focused. The tasks can be very repetitive, and a good level of concentration helps maintain product quality.

Production facilities employ people with physical skills because the work can sometimes be demanding. You lift objects and products, and sometimes you stand for the entire shift, which requires good basic physical fitness.

As a production operative, you work in factories and are responsible for manufacturing goods and products. You feed raw materials into machines and ensure the calibrations are correct for the production process.

A production operative is a person who processes, sorts and packages products in an industrial facility. They work at individual stations to assemble parts on the conveyor belt. In some factories, you work with robots to ensure precise and consistent production.

If you want to work in production, you should have basic computer skills. It's also important to have good problem-solving ability and be effective in communication, focused and willing to learn.

You can get a job as a production operative without formal education requirements or previous work experience. Most employers provide training at the workplace before the job starts.

It's easy to apply for a job as a production operative. Search among our vacant jobs in your area. Then send in your CV and your personal letter or apply via LinkedIn. if you need help with your job application you can read all our job tips here! 

Here you can find more information about the role production operator