We use cookies to improve and customise your experience, for analytics and metrics, and to track any purchases you make both on this website and on others. To find out more about the cookies we use see our cookie policy
More info
- Work with specialist machinery and techniques to manufacture paper
- Work can be physical and the factory environment can be noisy
- Opportunities to move into paper technology, quality control or management roles
As a paper maker, you'll be making products using wood and recycled materials at a production plant or in a mill.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Operating a range of processing machines
- Removing metals and plastics from recycled materials
- Overseeing the process
- Checking the pulp mixture
- Checking for damaged or sub-standard paper
- Storing and loading paper products ready for delivery
- Following health and safety guidelines
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
Your working environment might be noisy, hot, and humid, and you'll need to wear protective clothing.
You'll need
To be a paper maker, you'll need the ability to work well with your hands, knowledge of manufacturing production and processes, the ability to use, repair, and maintain machines and tools, thoroughness and attention to detail, observation and recording skills, the ability to work well with others, good initiative, and patience in stressful situations.
You can do a papermaker advanced apprenticeship to get into this role.
Direct application is also possible, and you might be taken on as a trainee. Specific qualifications are not needed, but if you have GCSEs in maths and English (or equivalent), you may have an advantage.
Experience in paper recycling, production line work or forklift training may be helpful.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With training and experience you could move into jobs in quality control or paper technology. Other career options include supervisory management, technical sales or production plant management.