Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

The Work

As a plastics process worker, you would control factory machinery that makes all kinds of mass-produced plastic items. In this job your duties may include:

• weighing and mixing raw materials
• feeding materials into the machine
• adjusting machine controls and monitoring the production process
• carrying out cleaning and basic maintenance on the machines
• making quality control checks on products
• trimming excess plastic (known as 'flash') from products
• recording how much raw material has been used during production and the number of items produced
• calling in supervisors or engineers if there are problems
• labelling, stacking and packing products.

Since there are many types of manufacturing methods such as injection moulding or extrusion, you would become familiar with several different types of machine.

Machine Operators

Plastics processing machine operators monitor the specialised machinery that is used to manufacture products within the plastics processing industry. Most machines are fully automatic and computer-controlled.  
 
The operators may be responsible for a number of machines. They keep watch over the processing and may check that the machines are operating according to the machine 'production sheet'. For example, they check gauges - for pressure, temperature, speed and so on. In some cases operators record quantities of products made, by entering the amounts on a computer keyboard on the machine. Many operators are responsible for setting up moulds & new machines to run automatically.  
 
Machine operators also check the products for faults, such as cracks or burn marks, and reject defective items. They may also check the sise, weight and colour of products. These quality checks may need to be done regularly. Operators record quality control information on a form or key it into the machine.  
 
The operator loads the machine with the materials to be moulded or pressed. Many operators are also responsible for the assembly or packing of the products as they come out of the machine.  
 
Some operators remove and pack finished items. They may use robots to lift large items. Small parts, such as aerosol caps, are weighed into boxes ready for despatch. With some processes, for example, certain types of moulding, operators trim away surplus plastic from products.  
 
Safety checks are an important part of the work. Operators are trained to close down machines safely if an emergency occurs, for example if a pipe comes off the machine.

Machine Setters

Machine setters are technicians who specialise in 'condition setting' for plastics processing. This means that they set up the conditions for machines to process plastics for each job efficiently.

Most machines are computerised and fully automatic. Setters program the machines using a computer. They set temperatures, quantities, machine speed, and sise and measurement details. This can involve making calculations, such as required weights.

Setters make sure that the machine operates at the maximum speed while maintaining quality standards. If setters are involved in plastics moulding, they mount the required moulds onto the machines.

Machine setters also check the quality of finished products. They recognise faults, such as poor surface finishes, burn marks, distortion and cracking. They identify causes of faults and correct them. They use a range of measuring equipment and graphs, so that condition settings can be adjusted.

Setters are often responsible for loading machines with raw materials and ensuring the correct blends of colour and additives. In some companies, setters operate the machines. They are trained to close down the machines safely in an emergency.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
• Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
• Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
• Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.
• Read specifications, blueprints, and work orders to determine setups, temperatures, and time settings required to mold, form, or cast plastic materials, as well as to plan production sequences.
• Observe meters and gauges to verify and record temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times.
• Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools.
• Remove parts, such as dies, from machines after production runs are finished.
• Perform maintenance work such as cleaning and oiling machines.
• Smooth and clean inner surfaces of molds, using brushes, scrapers, air hoses, or grinding wheels, and fill imperfections with refractory material.

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.

Pathways of Qualifications to become a plastics process worker, employers will expect you to have a reasonable standard of English, maths and IT for reading instructions, making basic calculations and operating machines.

Previous experience of Factory/ Manufacturing work, and operating machines may be useful.

Entry to this work is through employment in a plastics processing company. Most plastics processing machine operators begin working as General Operators. Training may be carried out on-the job via in-house training programmes.

Trainng & Development 

FET Centre Traineeships: Engineering Operations & Manufacturing at NFQ Level 5 Search our FET coursefinder

FET Centre PLC courses: Manufacturing & Engineering at NFQ Level 5 Search our FET PLC coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Polymer Processing Technologist offers both an entry point to the sector and a pathway to development at NFQ Level 7 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Mechanical and Polymer Engineering NFQ level 8 Search our CAO Coursefinder

Professional Development & Associations 

First Polymer Skillnet 

Apprenticeship Pay

The employer pays the apprentice for the duration of the apprenticeship. In all cases, the rate of pay is agreed between the employer and the apprentice.

Training Allowances

A training allowance is paid by the local ETB to apprentices while attending off-the-job training. In some cases, a contribution towards travel or accommodation costs may be paid if deemed eligible. The sector the apprentice's employer is engaged in will determine the allowance payable.

These allowances are calculated on the gross wages paid by industry in each sector. The amount the apprentice gets will generally be less than that, as it is based on the net take-home pay of the relevant sector. The weekly gross wage norms for different industries can be found here.

Student Contribution

Apprentices pay a pro-rata registration fee if their off-the-job training takes place within a Higher Education Institute. The registration fee will generally equate to the amount of time the apprentice spends in the Higher Education Institute. The payment of the pro-rata registration fee is made by the apprentice directly to the Higher Education Institute. For further information, click here.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €60k

Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley/ CPL/ Payscale/ Indeed

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

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.

• Plastics Ireland

  • Confederation House, 84-86 Lower Baggot St. Dublin 2
  • (01) 605 1500
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Polymer Technology Ireland

  • IBEC 84-86 Lower Baggot Street
  • (0)1 605 1727
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here