A production worker ensures manufacturing and assembly lines run smoothly. They fill the gaps in production by operating machinery or assembling equipment parts after manufacturing. Apart from assisting in production, they also aid in distribution by stocking warehouses, keeping tabs on the production quotas and shipping procedures.
As a production worker, you assist in assembling products and monitoring manufacturing equipment in factories. You collaborate with other tradespeople to complete product assembly tasks and confirm quality standards. At the end of production, you are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the equipment. You use forklifts to organize products in the warehouse and retrieve them before shipment.
In Canada, production workers typically work 39 hours a week in full-time positions. Since manufacturing work sometimes continues throughout the night, most employers hire production workers on a shift basis. Unless your duties require you to work particular shifts, they are on a rotational basis. That means sometimes you will work early morning shifts or at night. While most shifts run from 7 to 10 hours, deadlines often make you extend your shift. In most cases, you have to work during weekends and public holidays since the production work does not stop. Production workers do not travel since their work is based in the manufacturing plant.
Some of the benefits of working as a production worker include:
Most interviewers ask unique questions relevant to the specific need of the company. However, some typical interview questions include:
A production worker's resume should have the following information:
From your production worker resume, the hiring manager should get a glimpse of your experience level and skills. Use specific keywords relevant to the job to increase your chances of making the shortlist. If you are attaching a cover letter, find a unique way to expound on the experiences relevant to the production worker position and highlight your competencies.
Becoming a production worker is a promising career since manufacturing plants always need workers to assist in production. The array of duties also gives you multiple opportunities for specialization. For instance, you can focus on warehouse operations or progress in your production work and become the supervisor. The clear career progression path gives you growth opportunities, and with experience, it is possible to become the operations manager or the manufacturing manager.
A production worker can take up a general role or specialize in the following areas:
In Canada, the average salary of production workers is $39,012 per year. Entry-level production workers with minimal experience earn $25,000 per year, while experienced workers earn up to C$61,000 annually. Most companies pay hourly or weekly rates depending on the experience level and employment terms. Aside from the basic pay, you receive various benefits like healthcare insurance and paid vacations. Some manufacturing firms also provide end-year bonuses and pay overtime wages to motivate their workers.
You can increase your salary by adding educational qualifications to your resume and improving your work experience. Sometimes the location and company size also influence your earning potential, and moving to a different region could boost your pay.
Top paying areas for production workers in Canada include British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba.
While the specific duties and responsibilities of production workers vary depending on the product manufactured, some of the tasks include:
As a production worker, you primarily work in manufacturing facilities in various business sectors. You can get a job in the following industries:
Aside from technical capabilities, soft skills will boost your career success. Some of the skills include:
Educational qualifications often depend on the company. Some manufacturing units hire entry-level production workers and provide on-the-job training based on the responsibilities they will be undertaking. Other companies require prior work experience and educational qualifications in similar roles.
At an entry-level position, you need a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED). You will learn most of the technical skills on the job. However, if you are joining a technical facility with complex processes like automobiles or aeronautics, consider pursuing a course or degree in production work.
Aside from qualifications, you need work experience to increase your chances of landing a job. Volunteering and internships in production facilities and factories will increase your job prospects, and you can learn transferable skills.
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about production worker jobs.
You need an associate degree or undergraduate degree in science, manufacturing or related subjects to start your production worker career. Although educational qualifications aren't compulsory, you need a GED or high school diploma to qualify for on-the-job training provided by most manufacturing. Aside from academic qualifications, work experience can improve your competitiveness in the job market.
When looking for production worker vacancies, keep an eye on social media pages for advertisements. Most companies post vacancies on job boards and online platforms. You should also check out production worker positions posted on the Randstad job seeker section for industrial support jobs.
When you find a production worker job job that suits your qualifications and skills, apply for it on Randstad. Once you register an account, you can apply for your preferred vacancy.
Watch out for vacancies on social media and job boards to find the ideal position for you. Request your friends and family to connect you to vacant positions. Alternatively, register for the Randstad newsletter to receive notifications whenever new production workers' jobs are posted.
Production workers in Canada earn an average salary of $39,012. Most employers also pay overtime wages for extending your shift and other benefits. You can also enjoy paid vacation time, healthcare benefits and annual bonuses. The pay rates vary depending on the employer, but your qualifications determine the wage bracket.
A production worker is an industrial support professional who assists in the production and manufacturing industries. Production workers help in assembling products and packaging finished goods before they are sent to warehouses.
A production worker works in a production line to ensure the manufacturing process runs smoothly. They also maintain and clean the equipment and manufacturing tools before and after production to ensure quality standards are maintained.