Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• 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.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

The Work

Assistants often have different job titles, such as department labourer, factory hand or general operative, depending on the factory.  
 
General assistants carry out a range of tasks in factories, to allow other workers to get on with their jobs without breaking off.  
 
General assistants may collect and distribute raw materials to factory floor workers, machine operators or craftsmen/women. They may also move units and parts to different production areas within the factory at various stages, for example from the main manufacturing area to the finishing section.  
 
Transporting goods can involve operating lift trucks, hand-operated trolleys and, in some industries, overhead cranes, for example to move heavy engineering products.  
 
General cleaning duties are also often involved in this type of work. Assistants sweep floors and keep production areas tidy and clear of obstacles. They may also be required to clean machines and equipment. Some assistants will be asked to help craftsmen/women to set up machines for new product lines, which involves cleaning container tanks, attaching feeder pipes, fetching supplies and so on.  
 
Other duties can include helping to load and unload raw materials and finished products. This may mean working outside, in all weather conditions. In heavy industry, assistants are involved in slinging.  
 
General assistants are usually expected to do any jobs that need doing. This means working in any part of the factory, and filling in when people are off or when the factory is particularly busy with delivery dates to meet. Some packing work and machine operating might be a regular part of the job. They are responsible for the general maintenance and upkeep of the factory.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.
• Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.
• Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.
• Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.
• Start machines or equipment to begin production processes.
• Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.
• Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.
• Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists.
• Transfer finished products, raw materials, tools, or equipment between storage and work areas of plants and warehouses, by hand or using hand trucks or powered lift trucks.
• Pack and store materials and products.

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.

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

Key Skills certs 

Safepass 

Manual Handling 

Occupational First Aid

Forklift Licenses

These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET Coursefinder.

Training & Development 

Traineeship programs: Manufacturing, Engineering operations, or Transport & Logistics NFQ level 4-5  Search our FET Coursefinder  

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €29k - €45k

Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, shift pattern, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley/ Sigmar/ CPL/ Indeed/ Collins McNicholas

Last Updated: February, 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 (2023).

Although employment numbers grew between 2021 and 2022, they remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. A higher-than-average share (39%) employed in these roles were non-Irish citizens.

Vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland were primarily for general and production operatives, while vacancies for general and packaging operatives were identified as difficult-to-fill in the Recruitment Agency Survey. The perceived attractiveness of the job (e.g. shift work) may be a contributing factor in terms of recruitment issues for this occupation.

• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
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• Irish Manufacturing research

  • Irish Manufacturing Research Unit A, Aerodrome Business Park Rathcoole, Co. Dublin D24 WCO4
  • (0) 1 5675000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here