What does a factory worker do?
A factory worker can have a range of different duties in plants and factories. Factory workers work in an industrial environment, often on production lines, and operate tools and machinery. Their main task is to assemble or process products and components.
The tasks of a factory worker can be fairly repetitive, and factory workers are usually on their feet and perform physical tasks throughout their entire shift. Depending on the nature of the product being worked on, a factory worker may need to wear safety gear. Workplace health and safety procedures also need to be followed at all times.
Factory worker skills and qualifications
To be successful, a Factory Worker needs to have the following skills and aptitudes:
- Safety-conscious
- Reliable attitude to their work
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Willingness to perform repetitive tasks
- Good hand-eye coordination
- Able to perform physical work and use tools as needed
Factory worker experience requirements
Factory workers can work in a variety of different industries, from automotive and construction to food, processing, manufacturing or logistics.
Although desirable, usually no previous work experience is required. Applicants typically learn on the job or complete a traineeship in their chosen sector.
Factory Worker education and training requirements
Factory worker is typically an entry-level role in the processing or manufacturing industry and requires no formal qualifications. However, depending on your industry, you may prefer to hire candidates who have chosen to complete a TAFE qualification, such as the Certificate I in Food Processing or the Certificate II in Manufacturing Technology, to gain additional skills and knowledge.
You may also want to consider applicants who have acquired special certifications, such as a first-aid certificate, general driver’s licence or forklift licence.
Factory worker salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a factory worker is $28.19 per hour. Although some private companies pay slightly higher rates, this salary is largely consistent across all Australian states and territories.
Job description samples for similar positions
There are a few roles that share some similarities with that of a Factory Worker. Take a look at the descriptions to determine if you may need to hire one of these experts instead of or in addition to a factory worker:
Factory worker job description FAQs
What are the working hours like for a factory worker?
Factory workers usually work shifts. They are often expected to start early in the day, and some shifts can last up to ten hours at a time, depending on the industry. Some sectors may require late shifts or night work. In periods of high demand, factory workers may be asked to work overtime , with pay calculated based on the regulations of the Australian Government’s Manufacturing Award.
In what industries do factory workers work?
Factory workers are employed in a wide variety of industries and settings. Most factory workers can be found in processing or manufacturing plants, but the pharmaceutical, transport, food, beverage, textile, construction and automotive sectors also rely heavily on factory workers.
The most common products and parts factory workers assemble or process for different sectors include food and drink, plastics, timber, pulp and paper, metal, textiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
What career progression might a factory worker expect?
After gaining several years of experience, a factory worker may want to progress to a role with more responsibility . This may involve obtaining a theoretical certification or specialist licence. Some possible career progression options for a factory worker are repair technician, quality control specialist or assembly line foreman.
What is the working environment like for factory workers?
The working conditions for factory workers can be quite challenging and physical. Depending on their particular task, a factory worker may be required to repeat the same action over and over again, or bend over or lift items repeatedly for extended periods of time.
The temperature in factories can be warm, and it may be necessary for a factory worker to wear safety equipment, such as gloves or goggles. What’s more, some factories may be quite noisy, or there may be some chemical fumes in the air, depending on the product and industry.
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