Production and Operations
About Production and Operations
In all manufacturing faculties there is a requirement for someone to run and manage different processes at various levels. As manufacturing is required in all industries and areas, it means you will always be able to find work. This is because all manufacturing faculties operate using similar structure and processes.
Type of Course
Depending on the provider you will have formal lectures or online material you can learn. You will also be assessed formally or through online assessments. Depending on what you are looking for you can have a purely academic course or have a hybrid structure to acquire some on the job experience.
Entry Requirements
Depending on the level the entry requirements will vary. But in all you will need to be:
- At least 16 years of age or older;
- Live in the country you are apply;
- English and maths GCSE at level C or above.
Higher qualifications will require you to have completed lower level of the same or similar course.
GCSEs that suit this Course
Regardless of what GCSEs you do you can always go down various career paths, but certain GCSEs will give you an advantage and some will be required. Below is a list of GCSEs which will help you with production and operation course:
- English Language and Literature *(required)
- Mathematics *(required)
- Science (double or triple)
- IT
- Electronics
- History
- Geography
- Modern Foreign Languages
A-levels that suit this Course
You will most likely not need A-levels to enter any course, but you will need to future proof your career, so it is still good to have A-levels. Regardless of what A-levels you do you can always go down various career paths, but certain A-levels will give you an advantage and some will be required. Below is a list of A-levels which will help you with production and operation course:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- IT / Computer Science
- Modern Foreign Languages
Duration of Course
The course duration will vary depending on the level.
- Low: 3 - 6 months
- Medium: roughly 6 months
- High: 6 - 12 months
Course cost
The costs will vary depending on level of course, where you do it and duration.
- Low: £600 - £1000
- Medium: £800 - £1200
- High: £1000 - £1600
Who This Course Suits?
Every course will be enjoyable and suit different personalities, below is a list of characteristics and personalities which will enjoy a Production and operations course:
- Enjoy working in a factory setting
- Interested in how products are made
Module /Topics
Production and operations course has many topics that need to be covered, below is a list of the topics that will be in the curriculums.
Low:
- Introduction to all various modules (Supply chain, Warehousing & Inventory;
- Manufacturing, planning, Procurement, Logistics, Ports and shipping, Business etc…);
- Supplier & customer relationships;
- Health and safety;
- Rules and Regulations.
Mid-level:
- Supply chain operations;
- Business;
- Leadership;
- Logistics;
- Health and safety;
- Manufacturing and Production;
- Warehousing operations;
- Ports and shipping;
- Procurement in action.
High:
- Supply chain management;
- Strategic management principles;
- Business research;
- Strategic business planning;
- Strategic global procurement;
- Manufacturing and Production;
- Corporate finance;
- Strategic quality management;
- Entrepreneurship in business;
- Change management.
Industry Sectors
Production and operations course allows you too apply to different industries, below is a list of them:
- Aerospace
- Oil and Gas
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs)
- Construction
Types of Jobs
Production and operations course allows you to apply to a wide variety of roles, below is a list of them:
Low:
- Operations manager;
- Manufacture team leader;
- Manufacture operative;
- Production operative;
- Manufacture supervisor.
Mid-level:
- Plant manager;
- Manufacture manager;
- Manufacture site manager;
- Operations manager.
High:
- Global & regional operation director;
- General manager;
- Global manufacturing director;
- Production director.
Work hours and Salary
Higher levels will require you to work more, but you will be legally limited to 48 hours a week. Generally you will work 37.5 - 40 hours a week. The salary you can expect can be seen below:
- Low: £17,000 - £25,000;
- Mid-level: £25,000 - £40,000, the salary will differ depending on which industry you enter and the level of experience you have;
- High: £40,000 - £60,000, similar to mid-level roles your salary will depend on which industry you work in and the level of experience you have.
