Engineering Production Worker
(Assembler, Welder (2nd and 3rd Class), Factory Hand)
Fact Sheet
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Working on the assembly line of an automotive factory |
Engineering production workers assemble parts and equipment by performing production line operations and other manual duties in factories.
Duties and Tasks
Engineering production workers may perform the following tasks:
- clean, inspect and assemble parts
- work from drawings and prints to assemble new equipment
- assist tradespersons
- carry out minor maintenance duties on machinery and general working area
- undertake stores and inventory work
- load and unload raw materials and finished products
- check products to identify and reject defective items
- pack products into boxes and stack onto pallets
- position components and materials under instruction from leading hands or supervisors
- operate automatic and semi-automatic machinery and tools, such as conveyor belts, bottling machines or soldering irons
- do off-line duties such as sub-assembly and testing
Quick Facts
School subjects that include some aspect of INDUSTRIAL ARTS provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an industrial arts-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather. Jobs requiring mainly indoor work are excluded.
The main duties and tasks involved in these jobs require daily physical exertion, such as bending and twisting, lifting, climbing, pulling, pushing, carrying or other effort where physical fitness is required. People with heart, back or other conditions who should avoid physical strain may wish to avoid these jobs. Jobs requiring physical effort have been excluded.
The main duties and tasks involved in these jobs are usually performed standing up for periods of at least two hours at a stretch.Jobs requiring standing for long periods have been excluded.
Included are jobs involved in the making of products requiring chemical processes, such as plastics, rubber, petroleum, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and explosives. Also covered are clay, stone and glass-working jobs.
Included are jobs involved with processing food and drink products, which are made from a variety of foodstuffs such as meat, field crops, dairy products, fruits and vegetables.
Included are jobs involved in the making, processing and repair of timber, furniture, and wood products.
Included are jobs involved in metal fitting and machining, forging, sheetmetal work, metal casting and finishing and other metal tradespersons, jobs in the electrical and electronics fields, such as fitting, appliance servicing, refrigeration and airconditioning, electrical mechanics, communications equipment, and jobs in the automotive industry.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH THINGS, using the hands, or special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust them. Activities include doing practical and physical tasks, and may require an understanding of how equipment or machinery works.
These jobs generally require no specific education for entry. Practical skills are often more important than level of education. Certificate I or II training is available for some jobs.
Work Conditions
Engineering production workers mostly perform repetitive tasks on articles passing along the production line. Often factories will rotate their staff so that they are not doing the same task for too long and so that staff are multi-skilled across production operations.
Most work is performed in modern factories, which can at times be noisy but are generally well lit and clean. Personal protective equipment is supplied.
Personal Requirements
- enjoy practical and manual work
- physically fit
- good eyesight
- good hand-eye coordination
- able to carry out repetitive tasks quickly and methodically
- able to work as part of a team
- able to read and follow instructions
- safety conscious
- basic computer skills