Occupation Description
Plastics and composites production workers are specialist polymer products manufacturing workers.
Plastics and composites production occupations include…
Plastics and composites production workers can specialise in…
Plastics and composites production workers, depending on their level of training and experience, operate the machinery, and may supervise and control the processes, that manufacture and - or finish plastic or composite products by injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, hand fabrication, hand lay-up, calendering and other processes.
Plastics and composites production workers may…
Plastics and composites production workers may work in one of the following industry areas: injection moulding, pipe and profile extrusion, blow moulding of plastic bottles, film and sheet extrusion, thermoforming and fabrication, reinforced plastics (fibreglass) and composites, vinyl calendering, laminating, compounding and reclamation, foam processing and cable manufacturing.
Personal Requirements
You should
Environment
Plastics and composites production workers work in production areas that may be noisy, hot, dusty and at times contain fumes, however the work environments are generally spacious, ventilated and well lit. The majority of their work may be spent standing and they sometimes work shifts.
They may have to wear special safety equipment such as masks, gloves and protective clothing, especially when using spray guns. Some of the tasks involved in composites production may require working in confined spaces.
Plastics and composites processors may be required to work shifts.
Many plastics and composites production workers are employed in small manufacturing companies. Experienced workers sometimes set up their own companies and others may work on a subcontract basis doing a broad range of composites work.
Training
To work as a plastics and composites production worker you will usually need to complete a Certificate II in Polymer Processing .
With experience, and possibly some further training, plastics and composites production workers can become operators . This will usually require a Certificate III in Polymer Processing.
You can work at even higher levels within this occupation and sector. With experience, and possibly further training ( Certificate IV in Polymer Technology ) , you can work as a senior operator (polymer) or as a plastics or polymer technician, and with a Diploma of Polymer Technology you may work as a polymer production or product development technician, or as a quality control-technical manager.
An Advanced Diploma of Polymer Technology will allow you to work as a senior polymer technical officer, senior production technician or product designer.
Of course you can continue to progress further along a career pathway that could see you in a number of senior management positions.
Certificate II in Polymer Processing
Certificate III in Polymer Processing
Certificate IV in Polymer Technology
Diploma of Polymer Technology
Advanced Diploma of Polymer Technology
Earnings, Job and Employment Prospects
For detailed information about earnings, job and employment prospects for this occupation, go to the Australian JobSearch Careers page and click on Job Outlook .
Printed Resources
The INFOSHEET PDFs provide information about the Manufacturing Industry and its various sectors and occupations. To view and print these documents click RESOURCES (you will need to have Adobe Reader ® installed).
Where Can I Go From This Job?
To find out more about potential Manufacturing career possibilities click PATHWAYS.
