Cutters and Pickers
6AI EXPOSURE TODAY6
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST51%
NOT A FORECAST51%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYB
STARTING PAY£18,000 - £22,000
PHYSICAL MOATThe work is hands-on, in the real world. Software alone can't do it.
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CAREERMASH (EN)FROM MANUFACTURING & PRODUCTION →
Cutters and Pickers
Cutters and pickers are essential in the UK’s vibrant manufacturing and agricultural sectors, playing a crucial role in ensuring quality and efficiency. This career path offers dynamic opportunities for those who enjoy hands-on work and are keen to contribute to the production process. With a growing demand for skilled workers, this role is not only rewarding but also vital for the UK economy.
THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.
AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.
This job holds up well against AI
AI exposure today is low on our index (6), and the work is hands-on, in the real world. Software alone can't do it. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.
Career progression path
1FIRST STEPJunior Cutter/PickerEntry-level positions involve learning the basics of cutting and picking processes, assisting experienced workers, and gaining hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment.£18,000 - £22,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-Level Cutter/PickerMid-level roles require greater responsibility, including operating advanced machinery and overseeing junior staff, while ensuring quality control and efficiency in production.£24,000 - £30,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Cutter/PickerSenior positions involve strategic oversight of production processes, training new staff, and implementing improvements to enhance productivity and safety.£35,000+
There is more than one way in
You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely. Some employers will take you on here with no formal qualifications at all, if you can show you can do the work.