ANZSCO Work Type Detail Sheets

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Plastics Production Machine Operator (General)

711514 · Medium Next-day ready
Career data Close match

Cutting machine operators use machines and tools to cut materials and products like glass, concrete, stone, metal, plastic, paper or insulating material.

Most common salary $65k – $99k
Upper salary up to $146k
Training 0-1 year
View on Tahatū ↗ Data: Tahatū Career Navigator, CC BY 4.0
Related careers
Press machine operator ↗

Press machine operators use machines to press, cut, shape or straighten metal and plastic materials.

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Rolling machine operators use machines to roll, heat treat, or reduce the thickness of steel or plastic materials.

$63k – $152k
Data: Tahatū Career Navigator, CC BY 4.0

Description

Operates extruding, injection moulding and blow moulding machines to produce finished plastic products.

Typical work tasks

  • Operates controls to regulate temperature, pressure, speed and flow of operation; measures and loads materials, items and ingredients for mixing into machines and feeding mechanisms; monitors operation, regulates material supply and adds chemicals and colorants to mixture; threads uncoated wire and cable through plastic coating machines, around take-up reels and through dies and cooling chambers; lays casings, beads, ply on moulds; operates rollers to remove air; operates presses and controls curing; examines output for defects and conformity to specifications; performs minor repairs and maintains production records.

Typical work environment

  • Works indoors in plastic manufacturing factories.
  • Work areas will usually be noisy and may be smelly and hot. Protective ear muffs and other equipment will be worn as necessary.

Typical physical and mental demands

  • Light to medium physical demand
  • Stands and walks frequently to operate machinery, pick up materials and supplies.
  • Stretches out, up and across occasionally to operate particular machines and when loading plastic granules into machine hopper.
  • Squatting, kneeling or crouching may be required when inspecting machines and finished plastic products.
  • Twisting of the body or neck may be required on an occasional basis.
  • Frequent lifting is required of a light to medium level.
  • Bends occasionally over machines, conveyer belts and when picking up supplies or products from low levels.
  • Repetitive large hand and arm movements may occasionally be required for some tasks.
  • Driving is not required.
  • Employees use a range of plastics processing machines or may specialise in the operation of one machine.
  • Mental skills necessary include technical knowledge, machine operation and other practical and problem-solving skills.
Entry signal Reviewed

Enter via experience or on-the-job training; no mandatory pre-entry qualification. Flagged next-day ready.

Entry barrier Experience or on-job training
Licence / registration No licence required
ANZSCO skill level 4
Next-day ready Yes

How this was determined (model-generated): Skill 4 general plastics production operator; on-the-job training sufficient, no licence.

Entry Requirements

  • A New Zealand Register Level 2 or 3 qualification or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4). In some instances relevant experience may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

Further Comments

  • There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.