Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Packer - Heavy Goods- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Working Life
Packers of heavy goods work with items that need to be packed to protect them from damage during transportation. Depending on the product, a variety of packaging is used: boxes, crates, barrels, drums, cases and sacks.
Packers use all types of lifting equipment, including lift trucks and overhead cranes, to move heavy goods for packing and packed products.
In some companies, packers work with a wide variety of goods. Others may specialise in packing one type of product.
Packers may pack heavy engineering pieces such as engines and gearbox units. They bolt the items onto steel frames inside wooden crates. They use hand tools such as hammers and screwdrivers to close the crates. Sometimes packers fix together crates from pre-cut pieces.
Crates that are to be transported by road, air or sea may need to be built from metal parts for durability and so they do not rust. Packers use compressors to extract moisture from the crates. They may also operate staple guns and tape machines, and use knives to cut packaging material.
Items such as washing machines and freesers are packed in large sheets of polythene inside strong cardboard boxes with polystyrene pieces to protect the corners.
Large quantities of liquid, for example, oil, paints and chemicals, may be packed in plastic or metal drums; other products go into barrels. Powder, such as cement, may be packed in sacks or drums. In these industries, packers operate filling machines and use tools to seal the drums, barrels or sacks securely.
Packers may also have other duties such as labelling crates and checking goods for faults before packing them. Packers may also be required to have a fork lift operator's ticket in order to move goods after packing. More experienced packers may be sent on courses to obtain this ticket.
Packers may also be involved in the keeping of records and dockets.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Attach identification labels to finished packaged items, or cut stencils and stencil information on containers, such as lot numbers or shipping destinations.
- Sort, grade, weigh, and inspect products, verifying and adjusting product weight or measurement to meet specifications.
- Stop or reset machines when malfunctions occur, clear machine jams, and report malfunctions to a supervisor.
- Observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products to standards.
- Remove finished packaged items from machine and separate rejected items.
- Monitor the production line, watching for problems such as pile-ups, jams, or glue that isn't sticking properly.
- Inspect and remove defective products and packaging material.
- Start machine by engaging controls.
- Tend or operate machine that packages product.
- Clean, oil, and make minor adjustments or repairs to machinery and equipment, such as opening valves or setting guides.
Qualities - Packer - Heavy Goods
You need good hand skills for packing work and good co-ordination skills to control lifting machines.
Attention to safety is particularly important when working with heavy goods. You will need to work carefully, to ensure that you and other workers are safe and that packages are secure and safe to transport.
As a packer of heavy goods you will need to be physically fit and active. The job can be physically demanding, and you can spend a lot of time on your feet. Some jobs involve heavy lifting and carrying. You will need to be aware of the proper procedures for lifting and carrying heavy goods.
You will need to be methodical and able to work at speed. You need to be comfortable following instructions and doing repetitive tasks.
Interests - Packer - Heavy Goods
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry / Progression - Packer - Heavy Goods
Previous experience in packaging and delivery would be useful for this career.
Qualifications vary, but you will require good verbal, literacy, numeracy, and some IT skills as technology progresses in logistics & distribution.
Key Skill Certs:
- Manual Handling certificate: refers to physical activities in most workplaces, and in particular when the activities involve lifting heavy objects which could result in back injury.
- Fork Lift & loader Licenses: REACH/ Counter balance/ Power pallet
These key certs may be available in FET centres around Ireland, at low or no cost Search our FET CourseFinder
With some experience you may have opportunities to progress to a supervisory or management role.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: warehousing, supply, logistics.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: warehousing, supply, logistics.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Logistics and Supply Chain Apprenticeships.
Search for Apprenticeships
Pay & Salary - Packer - Heavy Goods
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €24k - €42k
Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, experience, and sessional shift pattern & conditions.
Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Glassdoor/ Morgan McKinley/ Excel
Last Updated: February, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Packer - Heavy Goods
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Glass and ceramics process operatives, Textile process operatives, Rubber process operatives, Plastics process operatives, Metal making and treating process operatives, Electroplaters, Process operatives n.e.c., Industrial cleaning process occupations, Packers, bottlers, canners and fillers, Elementary process plant occupations n.e.c.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).
Despite employment levels increasing annually since 2021, they remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. There was a relatively high volume of online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) for this occupation, primarily for packers, although the level of adverts has fallen since 2022. Posts advertised through DSP related mostly to general operatives.
These roles were also highlighted as difficult-to-fill in the Recruitment Agency Survey and Skills for Growth data (along with shift operators), with the perceived attractiveness of the job (e.g. shift work) a potential contributing factor in terms of recruitment issues for this occupation.
Useful Contacts - Packer - Heavy Goods
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All Ireland Warehousing Association
