Hiring and Sponsoring Planning; process and production technicians (SOC Code 3116)

Planning; Process and Production Technicians, classified under SOC Code 3116, are essential professionals who support the technical aspects of production and planning within various industries. Their role encompasses a range of responsibilities aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring safety standards are met. Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting Engineers: Assisting planning and production engineers in evaluating existing and alternative production methods.
• Implementing Specifications: Working from professional engineers’ drawings to implement modifications for plant machinery and layout.
• Monitoring Efficiency: Collaborating with engineers to develop production control methods that enhance operational efficiency and eliminate potential hazards.
• Liaising with Departments: Coordinating with materials management to ensure a steady supply of materials for production processes.
• Safety and Quality Assurance: Aiding in the review of safety, quality, accuracy, and reliability to meet contractual requirements.
• Planning Operations: Assisting in the development of sequences of operations and completion dates for each production phase.
• Inspection and Evaluation: Implementing robust methods for inspecting and testing materials, components, and finished products.
• Maintenance Coordination: Planning and overseeing maintenance activities related to manufacturing and processing procedures.
• Accuracy in Equipment: Ensuring the precision of manufacturing and testing equipment.
• Developing Instructions: Crafting detailed instructions on processes and work methods to uphold quality and safety standards for workers.
• Data Analysis: Reviewing and analyzing production data to inform decision-making and process improvements.
• Cost Planning: Assessing the cost implications and staffing requirements for various projects.

With the growing complexity of production environments, the demand for skilled Planning and Production Technicians is on the rise. This guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the process of hiring and sponsoring these technicians under the UK's immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Planning; process and production technicians?

SOC Code 3116 refers to planning, process and production technicians who support engineering teams in enhancing production processes. Their responsibilities can include:

• Assessing production methods: Evaluating existing and alternative production methods to optimize efficiency.
• Implementing engineering designs: Working from professional engineers’ drawings and specifications to assist in equipment layout and modifications.
• Monitoring operational efficiency: Collaborating with engineers to develop production control methods that improve operational efficiency and minimize hazards.
• Liaising with supply departments: Coordinating with materials buying, storing, and controlling departments to ensure a consistent supply flow.
• Supporting safety and quality reviews: Assisting professional engineers in evaluating safety, quality, accuracy, reliability, and contractual obligations.
• Implementing production plans: Aiding in the execution of plans for the sequence of operations and completion timelines for production phases.
• Conducting inspections and evaluations: Overseeing the inspection, testing, and evaluation processes for materials, components, and finished products.
• Coordinating maintenance activities: Planning and organizing maintenance tasks associated with manufacturing and processing procedures.
• Ensuring equipment accuracy: Verifying the precision of manufacturing and testing equipment.
• Guiding work standards: Providing detailed instructions on processes, work methods, and quality and safety standards for production staff.
• Analyzing production data: Reviewing and analyzing data related to production performance.
• Assessing project impacts: Planning the cost implications and resource requirements for various projects.

Planning, process, and production technicians play a vital role in the manufacturing sector by ensuring efficient production processes, maintaining safety standards, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Eligibility to Hire Planning; process and production technicians (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Planning and Process Production Technicians must demonstrate relevant technical abilities and meet specific qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in assessing production methods and understanding professional engineers’ drawings and specifications.
• Experience: Previous experience in a production environment, supporting engineers in implementing modifications and improvements.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with engineers on production control methods to enhance operational efficiency and address potential hazards.
• Material Management: Experience liaising with materials buying, storing, and controlling departments to ensure a seamless supply chain.
• Safety and Quality Assurance: Knowledge of safety, quality, accuracy, reliability, and contractual requirements in manufacturing processes.
• Project Planning: Capability to assist in planning sequences of operations and completion dates for various phases of production.
• Inspection and Testing: Familiarity with implementing inspection, testing, and evaluation methods for various production materials and products.
• Maintenance Coordination: Experience in planning and coordinating maintenance activities to support manufacturing and processing procedures.
• Data Analysis: Proficiency in reviewing and analyzing production data to inform decision-making and improve processes.
• Cost Management: Ability to assess cost impacts and resource requirements for projects to optimize production efficiency.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 3116 and that the candidate’s experience and skills meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Planning; process and production technicians: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Planning; process and production technicians under SOC Code 3116.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Planning; process and production technicians, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Planning; process and production technicians under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Planning; process and production technicians. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Planning; process and production technicians applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Planning; process and production technicians’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Planning; process and production technicians can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Planning; process and production technicians

Before the Planning; process and production technicians begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Planning; process and production technicians’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Planning; process and production technicians holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Planning; process and production technicians’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Planning; process and production technicians’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Planning; process and production technicianss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Planning; process and production technicians

Sponsoring Planning; process and production technicians under SOC Code 3116 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Planning; process and production technicians, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Planning; process and production technicians under SOC Code 3116 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.