SOC 2020 · 3116
Planning, process and production technicians
Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations from
Skilled Worker
Shortage list only
Below the usual skill level, but listed.
Salary floor
£41,700
The general threshold, £41,700, is the higher of the two.
Shortage lists
Temporary Shortage List
Listed roles carry their own restrictions — check GOV.UK.
Shortage list conditions
Temporary Shortage List: all jobs in this code. Certificate of sponsorship must be issued before 31 Dec 2026.
Shortage-list jobs are below the usual skill level, so employers face restrictions such as no dependants and no salary discount. Check GOV.UK for the current conditions.
Salary the job must pay
A Skilled Worker job must pay at least the higher of the general threshold and the going rate for its occupation code.
Going rate (standard)
£34,800
General threshold
£41,700
Visa thresholds from
Minimum for this role
£41,700
Home Office going rates from
New entrants and some other cases can use 70% of the going rate, £33,400, subject to the lower general threshold of £33,400.
What this occupation actually pays
ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, full-time gross annual pay.
- UK pay for this occupation
- Going rate£34,800
- General threshold£41,700
View these figures as a table
| Percentile | Pay |
|---|---|
| 10th | £26,494 |
| 25th | £30,081 |
| 50th | £36,895 |
| Going rate | £34,800 |
| General threshold | £41,700 |
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2025 | £26,494 | £30,081 | £36,895 | — | — |
| East 2025 | — | — | £37,783 | — | — |
| East Midlands 2025 | — | — | £31,711 | — | — |
| North East 2025 | — | — | £34,830 | — | — |
| North West 2025 | — | — | £36,554 | — |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
Planning, process and production technicians perform a variety of technical support functions to assist production, process and planning engineers with production programmes and schedules and with manufacturing and processing procedures in order to ensure accuracy, cost-effectiveness and efficiency
Typical tasks
supports planning and production engineers in assessing existing and alternative production methods
works from, and helps implement, professional engineers’ drawings and specifications for equipment and layout, and helps implement modifications required for existing plant machinery/layout
works with engineers on production control methods to monitor operational efficiency and helps to eliminate potential hazards and bottlenecks in production
liaises with materials buying, storing and controlling departments to ensure a steady flow of supplies
supports professional engineers in reviewing safety, quality, accuracy, reliability and contractual requirements
supports implementation of plans of sequence of operations and completion dates for each phase of production or processing
ensures implementation of inspection, testing and evaluation methods for bought-in materials, components, semi-finished and finished products
plans and coordinates maintenance activities involved in manufacturing and processing procedures
ensures accuracy of manufacturing and testing equipment
ensures effective completion and implementation of detailed instructions on processes, work methods and quality and safety standards for workers
reviews and analyses production data
plans the cost impact and staff resources for projects
Entry routes and qualifications
Entrants to training usually possess GCSEs/S grades. Vocational training consists either of full-time study for a BTEC/SQA National award followed by two years on-the-job training, or an apprenticeship leading to an NVQ/SVQ at level 3.