A material mover and hand laborer move products from one location to another. Other types of laborers can include car wash operators, who are needed to accomplish manual labor tasks. The most significant aspect of a material mover and hand laborer job is manual labor. Employers hire these workers to help with manual labor tasks that require an individual to perform.
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How to Become a Material Mover and Laborer
According to O*NET OnLine, most material movers and laborers reported having a high school diploma and did not report earning a college degree. Almost 20% of material movers and laborers had yet to graduate high school and 5% have completed some college courses but have yet to earn a degree. This makes sense as employees learn on-the-job and a college education isn’t required. Some employers may require a high school diploma depending on the tasks needed. However, other employers do not require a high school diploma so part-time positions may be an option for high school students.
Job Description of a Material Mover and Laborer
A material mover and laborer can find themselves performing a variety of manual labor tasks depending on the job they have. If they work at a grocery store for example, they would stock shelves. If they are working in a warehouse, they may fill customer orders with stocked products or move large amounts of inventory from one location to another.
Along with performing manual labor, material movers and hand laborers may also need to read order requirements so they accurately complete the requirements of the given task. If working with equipment on-the-job, these laborers would need to inspect and maintain the equipment. Some locations may have hazards in the work environment as well, so following an employers safety procedures is also important.
Material Mover Laborer Career Video Transcript
While computers and machines now perform many kinds of work, the ability to accomplish a job using your own hands and strength has a value and reward all its own. Laboring with your hands takes coordination and stamina, but it also takes customer service skills and the ability to follow through on instructions. Several jobs require these qualities. Most hand laborers and freight, stock, and material movers work as pickers in warehouses, retrieving items from storage to be loaded and shipped. They may need to pack and wrap items, or load and unload them from a truck.
Packers and packagers pack groceries for customers, or pack shipping materials for transport. They often label packages and keep records of what they’ve packed. Vehicle and equipment cleaners wash vehicles, storage tanks, and industrial machinery. Most clean cars for an auto dealership, car rental agency, or car wash. Machine feeders work in manufacturing or warehouses. They insert materials into equipment, while off bearers remove materials from equipment after processing. Refuse and recyclable material collectors pick up garbage and recyclables from homes and businesses to transport to a landfill or recycling center. Most work either in waste collection or for local government.
Most hand laborers and material movers work full time, though part-time hours are not uncommon. Warehouse and shipping positions may require overnight shifts. It’s typical for employers to require that workers have the ability to lift a certain weight to qualify for the job, but there are no formal education requirements. Jobs often include repetitive movement and heavy lifting.
Article Citations
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Hand Laborers and Material Movers.
National Center for O*NET Development. 53-7062.00. O*NET OnLine.
The career video is in the public domain from the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
