Manufactoring

50 FORWARD MANUFACTURING

WHAT IS THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR?

Manufacturing is the making of goods by hand or by machine that are intended to be sold to customers upon completion. Items used in manufacturing may be raw materials or component parts of a larger

It involves everything from the production of finished products to the assembly of components and includes a variety of businesses involved in the production of goods, such as electronics, furniture, food and beverage, apparel, automotive, and medical products.

MANUFACTURING

WHAT JOBS COULD YOU DO?

INDEPENDENT FOOD SUPPLIER

RECYCLING OPERATIVE MEAT PROCESS WORKER

ENGINEERING OPERATIVE MOTOR MECHANIC PRODUCTION OPERATIVE

DRESS MAKER WELDER WOOD MACHINIST

FOOD TECHNOLOGIST

THE ROLE

Food technologists oversee food production to ensure compliance with company policy and national laws. They play a direct and advisory role in process development, quality control, and staff safety. Their responsibilities include sensory evaluation, packaging assessment, and implementing HACCP plans. They also train staff on food safety and quality standards to prevent incidents. Monitoring legislative changes is essential to maintain compliance and product integrity.

WORKING ENVIRONMENTS

Work typically occurs in factories but may extend to offices, laboratories, or kitchens. Shift work could be necessary for production trials, aligning with production schedules. Flexibility in working hours is essential, though parttime opportunities might exist.

THE TRAINING

THE SALARY

Starting salaries for food technologists can range from around £26,000 annually to £50,000+ at a senior level.

Most food technologists hold food-related degrees or similar qualifications, which typically take two to three years to complete.

Example course titles including: Food and Drink Engineering, Food Technology with Bio Processing, Food Safety, Inspection and Control, Food and Nutritional Sciences, and Food Production.

Apprenticeships are also available for qualification.

MANUFACTURING WHAT SKILLS CAN HELP YOU?

Different jobs need different skills. Being able to adapt the skills you already have is important.

MANUFACTURING KNOWLEDGE

ABILITY TO WORK WELL WITH YOUR HANDS

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

WELL ORGANISED AND ABLE TO MULTI-TASK

SPEAKING TO OTHERS

ABILITY TO OPERATE AND CONTROL EQUIPMENT GOOD COORDINATION AND PHYSICAL SKILLS

WORKING IN A TEAM

WHERE ARE THE MOST JOBS NEEDED?

LABOURERS

FOOD PROCESSING WORKERS

ASSEMBLERS & FABRICATORS

PRODUCTION MANAGERS

MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

WOOD WORKERS

METAL WORKERS

FINANCIAL MANAGERS

LOCAL EMPLOYERS INCLUDE…

WHERE CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS?

SKILLS FOR CAREERS

Explore courses that can support you in developing new skills.

SKILLS BOOTCAMPS

Explore Skills Bootcamps to help you change sector or progress in your current industry.

INSTITUTES OF TECHNOLOGIES

Explore higher-level technical education and training across a range of occupations.

SCAN

WHO CAN HELP YOU?

Good Work Bromley Exchange

Good Work Bromley Exchange, The Hive, Orpington Campus, The Walnuts, Orpington High Street, Orpington, BR6 OTE

Phone: 020 3954 4699

Email: goodworkbromley@lsec.ac.uk

Barking & Dagenham

Barking Learning Centre, 2 Town Square, Barking IG11 7NB

Phone: 020 8724 8870

Email: barkingjobshop@lbbd.gov.uk

Enfield STEP

Enfield Council, Skills and Employment Service, Planning and Growth, Environment and Communities, 5th Floor, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3XA

Phone: 020 3855 5859

Email: step@enfield.gov.uk