Productive Skills for Process Operatives

Giles L, Kodz J, Evans C | Report 336 | Institute for Employment Studies | Jul 1997

The processing industry has seen a great deal of change since the 1980s.

As competitive pressures have increased, organisations have sought ways of operating more effectively through modifications to working practices and technological developments.

In flatter structures, employers want fewer process workers to do more, and to develop a wider range of personal and technical skills.

This study of process operatives examines the developments in processing work in 20 organisations within the chemical, and food and drink processing industries.

The study is fourth in a series exploring employers' skill requirements and how these are changing, in eight key occupations.