Te Aroha College
Plastics Worker Kaimahi Kirihou
Plastics workers operate the machinery that makes, assembles and repairs plastic, composite and rubber products.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Subject Recommendations
NCEA Level 1 is recommended. Useful subjects include chemistry, construction and mechanical technologies, and processing technologies.
Plastics Workers can earn around $19-$20 per hour per year.
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.
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