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Advanced Manufacturing

Helper/Apprentice - Production Worker

Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

Annual openings

254

Median wage

$45,550

Typical education

High school (GED)

Growth 2026–2032

+2%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

High school (GED)

Credential requirement

No certification is required or expected for this job.

Work experience

No previous work experience is required.

Employer competency information

  • Feedback from employers identifies the following competencies as being critical to success: mechanical aptitude, attention to detail (including the ability to build something to specifications and tolerance), diagnosing and problem solving, basic computer skills, teamwork, a focus on safety, and accountability.
This role could be part of or lead to an apprenticeship that opens the door to lots of opportunities in the advanced manufacturing world.
Participation in a robotics league/competition is a good way to learn about working with and programming machines.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

High exposure

Many tasks are repeatable, so technology could reshape the day-to-day over time.

A typical day

  1. Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.
  2. Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.
  3. Transfer finished products, raw materials, tools, or equipment between storage and work areas of plants and warehouses, by hand or using hand trucks or powered lift trucks.
  4. Pack and store materials and products.
  5. Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment.
  6. Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.
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