Helpers--Production Workers
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $21K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $25K
Median Salary: $30K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $37K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $45K
Demand
Core Tasks
Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete.
Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.
Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.
Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.
Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.
Measure amounts of products, lengths of extruded articles, or weights of filled containers to ensure conformance to specifications.
Mark or tag identification on parts.
Separate products according to weight, grade, size, or composition of materials used to produce them.
Turn valves to regulate flow of liquids or air, to reverse machines, to start pumps, or to regulate equipment.
Dump materials such as prepared ingredients into machine hoppers prior to mixing.
Start machines or equipment to begin production processes.
Mix ingredients according to specified procedures or formulas.
Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.
Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.
Tie products in bundles for further processing or shipment, following prescribed procedures.
Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists.
Read gauges or charts, and record data obtained.
Record information, such as the number of products tested, meter readings, or dates and times of product production.
Transfer finished products, raw materials, tools, or equipment between storage and work areas of plants and warehouses, by hand or using hand trucks or powered lift trucks.
Unclamp and hoist full reels from braiding, winding, or other fabricating machines, using power hoists.
Signal coworkers to direct them to move products during the production process.
Clean and lubricate equipment.
Pack and store materials and products.
Perform minor repairs to machines, such as replacing damaged or worn parts.
Prepare raw materials for processing.
Change machine gears, using wrenches.
Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment.
Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles.
Position spouts or chutes of storage bins so that containers can be filled.
Wash work areas, machines, equipment, vehicles, or products.
Break up defective products for reprocessing.
Fold products and product parts during processing.
Thread ends of items such as thread, cloth, and lace through needles and rollers, and around take-up tubes.
Cut or break flashing from materials or products.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Mechanical
61%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics
55%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Production and Processing
55%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
English Language
54%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Public Safety and Security
52%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Education and Training
47%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Administration and Management
43%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Computers and Electronics
41%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Transportation
40%
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Customer and Personal Service
39%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
58%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring
58%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking
55%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operations Monitoring
55%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Speaking
55%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination
53%
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Operation and Control
53%
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Quality Control Analysis
53%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension
53%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness
53%
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Top 10 Abilities
Near Vision
70%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Control Precision
65%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Manual Dexterity
65%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Static Strength
65%
The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Trunk Strength
65%
The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
63%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Finger Dexterity
63%
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Information Ordering
63%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Multilimb Coordination
63%
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Problem Sensitivity
63%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Top 10 Work Activities
Handling and Moving Objects
84%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities
81%
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Controlling Machines and Processes
80%
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
74%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Getting Information
73%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
71%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
71%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
70%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
67%
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
66%
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Detailed Work Activities
Load materials into production equipment.
Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
Operate industrial equipment.
Inspect work to ensure standards are met.
Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment.
Move products, materials, or equipment between work areas.
Package products for storage or shipment.
Clean work areas.
Clean production equipment.
Count finished products or workpieces.
Weigh finished products.
Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
Mix substances to create chemical solutions.
Record operational or production data.
Signal others to coordinate work activities.
Lubricate production equipment.
Prepare materials for processing.
Replace worn equipment components.
Repair production equipment or tools.
Install mechanical components in production equipment.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
Clean workpieces or finished products.
Maneuver workpieces in equipment during production.
Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
Trim excess material from workpieces.
Work Context
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Education
Interests
Realistic
100%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
72%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative
43%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic
19%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising
19%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
19%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
83%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
81%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Cooperation
75%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Self Control
73%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
73%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility
72%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Concern for Others
71%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Independence
69%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity
68%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
67%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Work Values
Support
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions
31%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence
29%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement
19%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
19%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
