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Plastics Worker

Kaimahi Kirihou

Plastics workers operate the machinery that makes, assembles and repairs plastic, composite and rubber products.

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Secondary education

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

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Certificate

Useful experience

Useful experience 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 workers may do some or all of the following:

  • build full-size models of plastic products
  • create moulds for plastic products
  • apply materials such as resins or fibreglass to moulds
  • fit moulds into machines, and remove them when a production run has finished
  • separate, trim and shape the final products
  • maintain and repair moulds
  • fix basic mechanical and process problems
  • check products for defects
  • pack, label and weigh products.

Skills and knowledge

Plastics workers need to have knowledge of:

  • how to operate 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 workers can earn

$23-$25

per hour

Job opportunities
Average
Chances of getting a job as a plastics worker are average due to high competition for positions.
Length of training
<1
year of training usually required

Industry

Manufacturing

Plastics workers operate the machinery that makes, assembles and repairs plastic, composite and rubber products.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become a plastics worker you need to complete an apprenticeship and gain a New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing - Plastics (Level 2).

Chances of getting a job

Strong competition for plastics worker positions

Competition for plastics worker vacancies is high due to:

  • being able to enter the job without post-school qualifications
  • good on-the-job training opportunities, which make it possible to advance into plastics technician positions
  • new processing machines that have replaced plastics workers, which means fewer positions are available.

According to the Census, 1,572 plastics workers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

According to Plastics New Zealand, about 10,000 people work in various roles in the wider plastics industry.

Types of employers varied

Plastics workers 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

With further training, plastics workers may progress to become plastics technicians. They can also move into quality management and quality control.

Plastics workers may specialise in:

  • die setting
  • fibre composites
  • plastics moulding
  • rubber processing.

 

Working conditions

Plastics workers:

  • 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 workers need to be:

  • skilled in interpreting plans and drawings
  • good at problem-solving
  • accurate and methodical
  • able to follow instructions
  • able to work independently and in a team
  • responsible and safety-conscious.

Industry

Manufacturing

Plastics workers operate the machinery that makes, assembles and repairs plastic, composite and rubber products.

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