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Plastics Technician

Kaihangarau Kirihou

Plastics technicians set up, adjust, maintain and repair machines that manufacture plastic products.

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Secondary education

NCEA Level 1 is recommended. Useful subjects include chemistry, construction and mechanical technologies, maths, processing technologies and physics.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Certificate
  • Up to NCEA Level 3

Useful experience

Useful experience for plastics technicians includes:

  • work with basic engineering equipment such as welders, lathes and power tools
  • any work in the plastics, rubber or composites industry
  • work as a mechanical engineer
  • work in other factory jobs, particularly shift work.

What you will do

Plastics technicians may do some or all of the following:

  • design and make tools and machinery
  • set up and calibrate machines
  • set amount of plastics produced each hour
  • operate and monitor machines
  • test machines and check the quality of plastic products
  • repair and maintain tools and machines
  • write operating manuals and flow charts
  • train staff on how to use tools and machines.

Skills and knowledge

Plastics technicians need to have knowledge of:

  • how plastics react to different heats and pressures
  • how to solve technical problems
  • how to operate, maintain and repair tools and machinery
  • processes used to make plastic products, and the ability to diagnose production problems
  • product standards and safety regulations
  • different chemicals, compounds and metals
  • heats and speeds needed for mechanical tasks such as welding.
Pay

Plastics technicians with less than four years’ experience usually earn

$23-$25

per hour

Plastics technicians with four or more years' experience usually earn

$25-$34

per hour

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as a plastics technician are good due a shortage of workers.
Length of training
3
years of training usually required.

Industry

Manufacturing

Plastics technicians set up, adjust, maintain and repair machines that manufacture plastic products.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become a plastics technician, you need to complete an apprenticeship and gain a New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Processing Technology (Level 4).

Chances of getting a job

Demand for plastics technicians high due to shortage

Demand for plastics technicians is high due to:

  • a shortage of qualified, experienced workers
  • a shortage of technicians who know how to work with new energy-efficient processes
  • high demand for products that contain plastics, such as mobile phones and medical equipment
  • more online retail and global trade increasing demand for plastic packaging 
  • new factories opening in New Zealand to recycle plastics that can no longer be sent to China to recycle.

Plastics technician, plastics engineer and the related job of fibre composite technician appear on Immigration New Zealand's regional skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled plastics technicians from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 303 plastics technicians worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

Plastics technicians work for a range of employers including small- to medium-sized national companies, and large multi-national corporations.

Find out more about training

Competenz
0800 526 1800 - info@competenz.org.nz - www.competenz.org.nz
Composites Association of New Zealand
(09) 376 7732 - caroline@composites.org.nz - www.composites.org.nz
Plastics New Zealand
(09) 255 5662 - www.plastics.org.nz

Progression and specialisations

Plastic technicians may progress to supervisory or management roles.

Plastics technicians may specialise in:

  • die setting
  • machine setting
  • plastic moulding
  • process engineering
  • product designing
  • toolmaking.

Working conditions

Plastics technicians:

  • either work shifts or regular business hours. They may be required to work longer hours or weekends to meet deadlines
  • work in factories, processing plants and workshops
  • may work in smelly, noisy and dusty conditions. They may also work with toxic materials, which require the use of safety equipment
  • may travel locally to clients' workplaces to install or repair products.

Physical Requirements

Plastics technicians need to be fit and healthy as the job involves some lifting, and they spend long periods on their feet.

Useful personal qualities

Plastics technicians need to be:

  • good at solving problems
  • accurate, with an eye for detail
  • skilled in drawing up plans and instructions
  • accurate and methodical
  • able to work independently and in a team
  • responsible and safety-conscious.

Industry

Manufacturing

Plastics technicians set up, adjust, maintain and repair machines that manufacture plastic products.

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