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Helpers--Production Workers

Also called Control Room Helper, Press Helper, Production Helper, or Welder Helper

What Helpers--Production Workers do

Helpers--Production Workers help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

Who tends to enjoy it

Hands-on

People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.

Organizing

People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.

Leading

People who like persuading, selling, starting things, and taking charge.

What you'd actually do

  • Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists.
  • Mark or tag identification on parts.
  • Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.
  • Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete.
  • Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.
  • Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.
  • Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.
  • Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.

A typical day involves

Wearing safety gear Face-to-face with people Deadlines and time pressure Using your hands Part of a team Standing Walking or running

Skills that matter most

  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking

What you'll need to know

  • Production and Processing
  • English Language
  • Mechanical
  • Administration and Management
  • Education and Training

Related careers

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment. Perform duties such as furnishing tools, materials, and supplies to other workers; cleaning work area, machines, and tools; and holding materials or tools for other workers.

Little to some preparation

Transportation and Material Moving

Machine Feeders and Offbearers

Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.

Little to some preparation

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Maintenance Workers, Machinery

Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

Medium preparation

Transportation and Material Moving

Packers and Packagers, Hand

Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.

Little to some preparation

Production

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

Operate or tend bonding machines that use adhesives to join items for further processing or to form a completed product. Processes include joining veneer sheets into plywood; gluing paper; or joining rubber and rubberized fabric parts, plastic, simulated leather, or other materials.

Little to some preparation

Transportation and Material Moving

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.

Little to some preparation

Production

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.

Little to some preparation

Production

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend paper goods machines that perform a variety of functions, such as converting, sawing, corrugating, banding, wrapping, boxing, stitching, forming, or sealing paper or paperboard sheets into products.

Little to some preparation

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 51-9198.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.