New

Production Worker

Other names for this job

• Factory Worker
• Processing Machine Operator

What do production workers do?

Production workers use machines. They help to make products for sale. For example, plastic products or food products. They may work on a production line.

What is a production worker’s work like?

Mario works an 8-hour shift. Sometimes he works days. Sometimes he works the night shift. Sometimes he works extra hours.

Mario stands while he works.

The machines are noisy. Mario must wear earplugs. They protect his ears. He must wear safety glasses and other safety equipment. Mario’s employer taught him about safety.

Mario has to pay attention all the time. The beer bottles move very fast on the production line. He watches the machines. He makes sure the machines work correctly.

Mario works with other workers on the production line. They are a team. Sometimes workers change jobs. Mario may do a different job on the production line.

When Mario works in the store, he has to stock the refrigerator. He wears a jacket because it’s very cold.

Do you want to be a production worker?

• You must be healthy.
• You must be good at working with your hands. You must be careful.
• You need to do the same work again and again. You must pay attention.
• You have to work quickly. You have to work as fast as your coworkers.
• You need to read and understand instructions. You may have to read dials and computer screens on machines. You write in a log book.
• You must be good with machines. Sometimes you need to solve (find answers to) problems. For example, sometimes a machine isn’t working well. Then Mario decides what to do. Sometimes he can fix it himself.

What education do production workers need?

• Production workers usually learn on the job. They learn to operate machines. They learn to solve problems. They learn about safety.
• On some machines, operators need special training for 3 months. Some operators may learn to use more than one machine.
• Production workers may need a high school diploma for some jobs.
• Some production workers do difficult tasks. Others need to know about food safety. These workers might need post-secondary training.
• Sometimes production plants bring in new machines. Production workers may need to do new training to use them.
• Other workers need to re-do their training every year. This helps them stay safe and take good care of the machines.

What can production workers do in the future?

Production workers can learn to use many machines in different parts of a business.

Production workers can work for many different businesses. For example, window factories, plastics processing plants or food processing plants.

Production workers with experience may become team leaders or shift supervisors. If they know many different machines, they may become managers.

How much does a production worker make?

Do you want more information?

Do you want more information? You can ask your career advisor or tutor for help.

You will see some red words on this page. Click or tap these words to learn what they mean. Or visit the Easy Reading Dictionary.

For career advisors