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Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Worker

Do you want to become a Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Worker? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Vehicle manufacturing operatives turn the parts of a car or a goods vehicle into the finished product. They normally work in one of three areas in a factory:

• Body section. This is where the body of the vehicle is made. Operatives position pressed unpainted metal panels into jigs. They make sure that the panels are spot welded together successfully.

• Paint section. Paint operatives spray the parts of a car body that cannot be covered by a factory robot. They may spray inside the bonnet, in small joins or inside the boot.

• Trim and final assembly section. The painted body enters the assembly building. The vehicle travels along the production line where operatives progressively fit parts to complete the vehicle.

Operatives use equipment that is operated by computers and power assisted hand tools to fix units into position. In vehicle component manufacturing firms, operatives assemble units. Here they might build engine or transmission assemblies and prepare wiring harnesses or seats.

Operatives normally work up to 40 hours per week over a range of shifts. Overtime may be a requirement. Factories may be large, well lit and comfortably ventilated, but some areas may be dirty and noisy. Operatives are provided with protective clothing.

Starting pay for apprentices is around £8,000 a year, rising to about £22,000 for very experienced operatives.

Motor vehicle manufacturing operatives should be:

• able to concentrate on routine tasks
• confident working with their hands
• good at working as part of a team
• safety conscious
• comfortable operating heavy machinery.

There are approximately 50,000 vehicle manufacturing operatives and they are employed by the large automotive manufacturers and component manufacturers who make parts for the motor industry. Factories are situated in Coventry, Birmingham, Sunderland, Oxford, Solihull, Derby, Ellesmere Port and Crewe.

Entry is normally through a manufacturers' training scheme. Entry requirements and the style of training may vary between companies. Some employers offer Apprenticeships leading to NVQ/SVQ Level 1 and 2 in Performing Manufacturing Operations.

Within the manufacturing environment, promotion to supervisory grades may be possible for people who show the right skills and a desire to learn.

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