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Product Assembler

Kaiwaihanga Taputapu

Product assemblers put together parts of metal products, machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, telecommunications equipment, joinery products and other goods.

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Secondary education

A minimum of three years of secondary education is recommended. Useful subjects include English, construction and mechanical technologies, digital technologies and maths.

For Year 11 to 13 learners, trades academies and the STAR and Gateway programmes are good ways to gain relevant experience and skills.

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3

Useful experience

Useful experience for product assemblers includes:

  • electrical or electronics work
  • mechanical engineering work
  • work with hand tools such as soldering equipment
  • work with metals, glass and machines
  • welding.

What you will do

Product assemblers may do some or all of the following:

  • follow assembly instructions
  • place parts into position and check they're in the correct place
  • punch or drill holes in the parts to be assembled
  • bolt, screw, clip or weld parts together
  • check the product for faults and modify if necessary
  • pack the finished product
  • service and operate computer-controlled systems that perform assembly tasks
  • order materials.

Skills and knowledge

Product assemblers need to have:

  • practical skills for working with machines, tools and materials such as aluminium or wood
  • the ability to interpret technical drawings
  • knowledge of safety rules and procedures.
Pay

Product assemblers usually earn

$49K-$50K

per year

Job opportunities
Poor
Chances of getting a job as a product assembler are poor due to a downturn in manufacturing.

Industry

Manufacturing

Product assemblers put together parts of metal products, machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, telecommunications equipment, joinery products and other goods.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements to become a product assembler as skills are gained on the job.

Product assemblers may complete the New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing (Level 2 to Level 5) while working.

Chances of getting a job

Poor opportunities for product assemblers 

Chances of getting a job as a product assembler are poor because it's cheaper to make products overseas. Also, many products are now made by machines.

Many manufacturing companies have closed their factories or reduced their staff numbers due to a downturn in the industry.

According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment there are around 240,000 people working in the whole manufacturing sector.

According to the Census, 4,092 product assemblers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

Companies that employ product assemblers may create products that range from electronic radios to wooden furniture or windows.

Some small companies have fewer than five staff, while larger companies may employ 100 or more staff.

Find out more about training

Competenz
0800 526 1800 - www.competenz.org.nz

Progression and specialisations

Product assemblers may move into management or supervisory roles.

Product assemblers may specialise in:

  • aluminium and wood joinery
  • carbon and plastics assembly
  • electrical and electronics assembly
  • machinery assembly
  • metal or wooden goods.

Working conditions

Product assemblers:

  • often do shift work, which may include nights and weekends
  • work in workshops and factories, where conditions may be noisy and dirty
  • may spend long periods sitting or standing.

Physical Requirements

Product assemblers need to have normal colour vision and the ability to concentrate for long periods. They need to be reasonably strong as they might have to lift heavy loads.

Useful personal qualities

Product assemblers need to be:

  • safety-conscious
  • efficient and practical
  • accurate, with an eye for detail
  • able to follow instructions
  • good at problem solving
  • skilled at communicating and listening
  • good at basic maths.

Industry

Manufacturing

Product assemblers put together parts of metal products, machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, telecommunications equipment, joinery products and other goods.

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