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Food packaging operative
Food packaging operatives work on production lines, putting food and drink products into containers, cans and packets.
Average salary (a year)
£21000
Starter
£29000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
40.0 to 45.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:an apprenticeship; applying directly
Apprenticeship
You may be able to apply to do a Food and Drink Process Operator Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This takes around one year to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Direct Application
You can apply directly for jobs. You may not need any qualifications to start as a packaging operative, although it can help if you've worked on a production line before.
Knowledge of food safety can also be useful but employers will normally offer full training for the right candidates.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    The ability to work well with others
    Concentration skills
    Excellent verbal communication skills
    The ability to operate and control equipment
    The ability to work well with your hands
    Physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Other Requirements
You might need forklift truck training for some some jobs, for example, for moving finished products to a factory warehouse.
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
As a food packaging operative, you would
pack products into boxes, packets and containers, carry out routine quality checks, keep machines supplied with packaging materials and labels, adjust machine settings, report production line faults to supervisors, move packaged goods to storage areas and stack them safely
Working environment
You could work in a factory.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Your working environment may be noisy and hot.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could become a
production line leader, shift supervisor or section manager, quality control assistant
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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