General assistant (factory)

General assistants carry out a range of duties in factories. Tasks might include moving goods, cleaning up, and loading and unloading vehicles.

Also known as:

Factory assistant

Work activities

General assistants carry out a range of tasks that help the factory to run smoothly. For example, they collect and distribute raw materials to factory floor workers, machine operators or craftspeople. This could involve the use of fork-lift trucks and hand-operated trolleys. General assistants might also carry out cleaning duties. They also clean the machines and equipment if necessary. Other duties include helping to load and unload raw materials and finished products. This could mean working outside in all weather conditions. General assistants are usually expected to help out when and where they are needed. This might mean they have to do lots of different tasks and work in every part of the factory.

Personal qualities and skills

To do this job well, you should:

Be flexible and willing to do lots of different things.
Enjoy practical work.
Be willing to do repetitive tasks.
Have good people skills.

Good health and fitness are important. Some jobs are physically demanding and involve heavy lifting and carrying. In some factories, you may need to work up ladders.

Pay and opportunities

Factory workers earn between £17,000 and £24.000 and work between 37 and 42 hours, which may include early starts, late finishes, shift work and work at weekends and on public holidays. Overtime is sometimes available and, depending on the industry, there may be opportunities for part-time and casual or seasonal work.

Employers are factory operators across a wide range of manufacturing industries. Job titles vary, therefore it is important to check all factory vacancy information carefully, as the work is often combined with other operative duties. Opportunities for factory assistants occur in factories in towns and cities throughout the UK.

What’s happening in this area?

Employment has been in falling for many years within this industry. Women currently fill just over one in five of all jobs in this industry and so are underrepresented. Falls in employment levels are expected for skilled trades and process, plant and machine operatives.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

You don’t need any qualifications to become a factory assistant.

Training is usually on-the-job with supervision from an experienced member of staff. Some companies run an induction course for new employees, which might last for a few hours or a few days. There can be formal training courses for some aspects of the work, such as operating lifting equipment.

Progression could be to supervisory positions and then on to factory manager.

Qualifications

You do not usually need qualifications to enter this work.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Applicants with skills gained in the manufacturing industry, such as in assembly or packing work, have an advantage. Previous experience of practical or technical work using your hands is useful.

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