Polymer technician

Polymer technicians do a variety of jobs within the plastics and rubber industries. They might work in production, quality control, product development or sales and marketing. Most technicians specialise in one area of work.

Also known as:

• Plastics technician
• Rubber technician

Work activities

Polymer technicians work in companies that produce and process polymers (plastics or rubber). They work in production, quality control, product development, or sales and marketing. Polymer technicians doing production work find, analyse and solve problems that arise on the production line. They also supervise the work of machine operators, monitor the materials used and try to avoid wastage. Technicians working in quality control check the quality of the chemicals that are used to make or process the polymer. They also test the quality and physical properties of the finished products, to make sure that they are up to standard. Some polymer technicians are involved in development work, under the supervision of polymer technologists. This means that they test new products to see if they can go into production. Other polymer technicians become involved in sales and marketing.

Personal qualities and skills

To do this job well, you’ll need:

• Good number and IT skills.
• An understanding of polymers and processing technology.
• To be good at problem solving.
• Communication skills, as you may have to deal with people, such as technologists, scientists, engineers, operatives and customers.
• To be an accurate worker with an eye for detail.

Employers have identified the skills that will be required by the workforce of the future. These are:

• General IT skills.
• Job specific practical/technical skills.
• Teamworking skills.
• Problem-solving skills.

Pay and opportunities

According to jobs site Glassdoor, polymer technicians earn between £25,000 and £38,000 per year (based on 9,865 salaries, November 2023).

Technicians usually work a full-time week, Monday to Friday. Occasional late finishes may be required, and shift work is common in production operations.

Employers are multinational polymer processing companies. Opportunities for polymer technicians occur with employers based in the Midlands, North of England and Scotland. The largest number of employees is located in the North West, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England and the South East.

What’s happening in this work area?

The polymers industry overall has continued to grow over the last 10 years. While there has been a decline in some aspects of the industry, the development of new technologies has enabled it to remain competitive despite growing competition from foreign markets. The state of the economy in general is critical to the polymers industry as the materials are used in a large number of different markets. The cost of crude oil has a direct effect on the cost of all polymers and as such will cause an increase or decrease in plastic product prices, affecting the market greatly.

Where are vacancies advertised?

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

Entry routes and training

A level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship in the role of polymer processing technician is a great way into this career path. Much of your training for this career will be on-the-job, with the potential for some learning in the classroom.

Progression, following training, can be to senior technician positions. Some technicians continue training and become polymer technologists.

Qualifications

Employers prefer you to have some GCSEs at grades 9-4 (or equivalent). Subjects such as English, maths, engineering, manufacturing, and science subjects will be useful.

To begin an advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to take these alongside your programme.

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.

Relevant skills gained in manufacturing production are useful.

Related careers

• Materials technician
• Plastics processing machine setter
• Polymer technologist
• Textile technician