Packaging specialists work on assembly lines, operating machines to fill and seal containers for various products. They require on-the-job training and a high school diploma or GED. The job is found in industries such as food, medicine, tobacco, and beverages, and can also be found in parcel shipping companies. The job growth is expected to remain stable.
A packaging specialist occupation, also known by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics formally as Packaging and Filling and Tendering Machine Operators, is usually a production position on an assembly line. Packaged materials vary greatly, although companies that produce or package food items, medicines, tobacco products and beverages employ some of the highest numbers of packaging specialists. Submitting a job application at any company that produces items that must be packaged is the first step towards becoming a packaging expert. After hiring, a new employee is usually assigned to a more experienced company employee, who monitors his quality of work and production quantity. This period of on-the-job training is often the only training required to become a packaging expert.
Assembly line packaging specialists are responsible for operating their machines, producing a minimum number of packages of acceptable quality, and removing product that does not meet quality control guidelines. The variety of products manufactured and packaged means that training an employee to become a packaging expert must become an expert at filling and sealing the containers that hold your company’s products, such as burlap bags, heavy paper bags, plastic bags, cigarette boxes or cereal boxes. Although a packaging machine or filler is usually operated by one person, the packaging specialist does not work independently and must dedicate their time to keeping the overall production line running smoothly. Depending on the company and the specific plant, it may be necessary for an employee to become a packaging specialist for a variety of items.
The growth of parcel shipping companies has provided another way to become a packaging expert. Usually, the shipper of the item is the only one involved in packing it properly. Some shipping companies, however, have started offering this service prior to shipping and delivering items. These types of packaging specialist positions are not assembly line positions, but vary greatly depending on the needs of the customer. The training involved in becoming a packaging specialist at these companies is usually longer and more detailed in order to cover as many options as possible, following company-specific guidelines.
Regardless of what type of packaging specialist position is sought, a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate is usually the minimum amount of education needed to become a packaging specialist. In the US, the largest number of such jobs are located in the states of California, Texas and Pennsylvania. Little job growth is anticipated in this field and the number of positions is expected to remain relatively static.
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