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Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Runs and tends the machines that mix, cut, bake, coat, package and finish products in factories.
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Production workers set up and run machines, feed in materials, watch for problems, check quality and keep the line moving. The jobs range widely: mixing and cooking food, running ovens and kilns, cutting, grinding and polishing, painting and coating, engraving, running textile and paper machines, packaging, and building tires. Supervisors plan the shifts and lead the crew. Berks County and the Lehigh Valley have many food, packaging and metal plants.
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The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.
High school courses that build toward it
- Welding and Metal Fabrication · Career and Technical
Builds how things are made, which this job uses.
- Pre-Algebra · Math
Builds math, which this job uses.
- English 10 · English
Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.
- Physical Education · Health and PE
Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.
- Computer Science Principles · Computer Science
Builds computers and electronics, which this job uses.
- Physics · Science
Builds math, which this job uses.
Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.