Helpers--Production Workers

Career Description: Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

Industry: Production

Other Job Titles for Helpers--Production Workers:

• Realistic: 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.
• Investigative: 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: 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.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: 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.
• Conventional: 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.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.
• Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.
• Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.
• Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists.
• Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete.
• Mark or tag identification on parts.
• Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.
• Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work areas and equipment.
• Clean and lubricate equipment.
• Record information such as the number of products tested, meter readings, and dates and times of product production.
• Start machines or equipment in order to begin production processes.
• Separate products according to weight, grade, size, and 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.
• Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.
• Remove products, machine attachments, and waste material from machines.
• Pack and store materials and products.
• Tie products in bundles for further processing or shipment, following prescribed procedures.
• 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.
• Signal coworkers to direct them to move products during the production process.
• Prepare raw materials for processing.
• Measure amounts of products, lengths of extruded articles, or weights of filled containers to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Thread ends of items such as thread, cloth, and lace through needles and rollers, and around take-up tubes.
• Read gauges and charts, and record data obtained.
• Mix ingredients according to specified procedures and formulas.
• Position spouts or chutes of storage bins so that containers can be filled.
• Fold products and product parts during processing.
• Wash work areas, machines, equipment, vehicles, and products.
• Unclamp and hoist full reels from braiding, winding, and other fabricating machines, using power hoists.
• Dump materials such as prepared ingredients into machine hoppers prior to mixing.
• Break up defective products for reprocessing.
• Change machine gears, using wrenches.
• Cut or break flashing from materials or products.
• Perform minor repairs to machines, such as replacing damaged or worn parts.
• Attach slings, ropes, and cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, and bundles.
• Pack food products in paper bags and boxes, and stack them in warehouses and coolers.

Emerging Tasks

• Conduct employee training, including demonstrating equipment operations and work and safety procedures to new employees, or assign employees to experienced workers for training.
• Keep records of employees' attendance and hours worked.
• Recommend or execute personnel actions such as hirings, evaluations, and promotions.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: 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.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adjust production equipment/machinery setup
• attach or mark identification onto products or containers
• clean equipment or machinery
• clean rooms or work areas
• examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
• load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
• load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products
• lubricate machinery, equipment, or parts
• maintain or repair industrial or related equipment/machinery
• maintain production or work records
• measure, weigh, or count products or materials
• mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
• monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
• move or fit heavy objects
• operate food processing production equipment/machinery
• operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
• operate metal or plastic fabricating equipment/machinery
• operate ore refining/foundry equipment/machinery
• operate packaging or banding machine or equipment
• operate pulp or paper making equipment
• operate textile production equipment/machinery
• operate woodworking equipment/machinery
• package goods for shipment or storage
• perform repetitive tasks in assembly setting
• perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• signal directions or warnings to coworkers
• sort manufacturing materials or products
• wrap products
• oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
• prepare or maintain employee records
• prepare reports
• read blueprints
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• recommend improvements to work methods or procedures
• requisition stock, materials, supplies or equipment
• resolve or assist workers to resolve work problems
• resolve personnel problems or grievances
• schedule activities, classes, or events
• schedule employee work hours
• set up production equipment or machinery
• understand second language
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use soldering equipment
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Overall Experience
No previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a cashier even if he/she has never worked before.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.

Education
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Some may require a formal training course to obtain a license.

Examples
These occupations involve following instructions and helping others. Examples include taxi drivers, amusement and recreation attendants, counter and rental clerks, cashiers, and waiters/waitresses.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$10.14
• Average annual wage (2007) - $21,090.00

• Employment (2006): 541,605

• Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic
• Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Foundry Mold and Coremakers
• Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Pourers and Casters, Metal
• Prepress Technicians and Workers
• Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters