General Assistant - Factory

Also known as:

Factory Assistant
Department Labourer

Introduction

General assistants carry out a range of duties in factories. Tasks may include moving goods, cleaning up and loading and unloading vehicles. Some assistants operate machines and do packing work.

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Work Activities

General assistants carry out a range of tasks in factories, to allow specialist workers to work without interruption.

Assistants may have different job titles, such as department labourer, factory hand or general operative, depending on the factory.

General assistants may collect and distribute raw materials to factory floor workers, machine operators or craftsmen/women. They may move units and parts to different production areas within the factory, for example from the main manufacturing area to the finishing section.

To transport goods they may have to operate lift trucks, hand-operated trolleys and, in some industries, overhead cranes, for example to move heavy engineering products.

Assistants often do general cleaning duties. They sweep floors and keep production areas tidy and clear of obstacles. They may clean machines and equipment. Some assistants help craftsmen/women to set up machines for new product lines. This may involve cleaning container tanks, attaching feeder pipes, fetching supplies and so on.

Other duties might include helping to load and unload raw materials and finished products. This may mean working outside, in all weather conditions. In heavy industry, assistants are involved in slinging.

General assistants are usually expected to do any jobs that need doing. They may work in any part of the factory and fill in when people are off, or when the factory is particularly busy.

Some packing work and machine operating might be a regular part of the job.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You need to be flexible and willing to undertake a variety of different tasks. A helpful, friendly personality is an advantage. Factory workers may depend on you to help them meet deadlines, so you will need to work efficiently and do things on time.

You should enjoy practical work. You must to be willing to do repetitive tasks. Some jobs demand good hand skills and co-ordination - such as operating lift trucks and controlling lifting equipment.

You should be fit and healthy. Some jobs are physically demanding, involving heavy lifting and carrying. You might have to work at heights, for example climbing ladders to check inside tanks. Cleaning jobs can involve getting dirty.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

General assistants earn in the range of £220 - £250 a week, rising to around £300 - £350 a week.

General assistants usually work a basic 39-hour week, which may include early starts, late finishes, shift work and work at weekends and on public holidays. Overtime is sometimes available and, depending on the industry, there may be opportunities for part-time and casual or seasonal work.

Employers are factory operators across a wide range of manufacturing industries. Job titles vary, therefore it is important to check all factory vacancy information carefully, as the work is often combined with other operative duties.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Applicants with skills and abilities gained in manufacturing industry, for example, in assembly or packing work, have an advantage.

Previous experience of practical or technical work using your hands is useful.

• 7% of people in occupations such as general assistant work part-time.
• 14% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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