The requirements you'll have to meet to become an assembly line worker will likely depend on the employer with which you plan to apply. You may need a high school or General Educational Development® (GED®) diploma to land this position, though some employers may not set specific educational requirements. As far as skills are concerned, you will likely need basic communication, reading, and writing skills as well as the ability to follow instructions, keep up with a fast pace at work, and stand on your feet for most of the day. Previous experience can help you land a job, but many employers will prove willing to offer on-the-job training.
The educational requirements you will have to meet to become an assembly line worker are usually minimal — in fact, many employers do not set minimum education requirements. When employers do set requirements, they usually request high school or GED® diplomas. Most employers do not require college degrees for assembly line work.
There are certain skills that are typically important when you want to become an assembly line worker. For example, most employers will want to know that you are capable of following instructions and staying organized. You will likely need good communication skills in order to listen to procedure instructions and communicate with others if something goes wrong. Reading ability may also prove important when it comes to following written instructions and reading company handbooks and safety guidelines. Likewise, basic writing skills may prove necessary for completing and signing work-related forms.
You will most likely need a range of physical skills and abilities to become an assembly line worker. Assembly line work is repetitive, and to succeed in it, you will have to be able to keep up without injuring yourself. Most employers will expect you to perform your work with reasonable speed and manual dexterity. Some may require heavy lifting as well.
For most types of assembly line work, you will have to stand for a significant period of time each day as well. Often, people who work on assembly lines stand for six to eight hours out of every workday, so being in good physical condition is usually a requirement. For many of these jobs, you will also need good hand-eye coordination. Additionally, you might be required to handle various types of equipment and tools.
If you have experience with assembly line work, your work history may help you land the job you want. This may prove particularly helpful if you have experience with the particular type of product the employer produces. Lacking experience, however, doesn't necessarily mean you won't be able to land a job. Most assembly line employers are willing to offer on-the-job training for those seeking this position.