OCCUPATION: LEAD PRODUCTION WORKER

Name: Irene Guillen

Company: Mitsubishi Consumer Electronics America Inc.

Thumbs up: “I’m always learning something different every day. I like the people I’m working with. I like the benefits--Mitsubishi is a big company and tries to hire from within. They give us the opportunity to apply for different jobs within the company. We can rotate between positions to learn different parts of the operation. We can learn to make a television, for instance, from beginning to end. You’re not always in the same place. I like the variety. They also send us to classes and seminars. And I like Mitsubishi’s commitment to quality. We’re not here just to make money.”

Next step: “I would like to be a supervisor because I like working with people.” Advice: “Concentrate on the job and try to do the best you can. Doing a good job really gets you somewhere. Ask questions. The more you can learn, the better.”

Salary range: In Orange County, assemblers or production workers earn between $4.25 and $16 hourly.

Educational and training requirements: A high school diploma is helpful, but not always required. Most employers prefer between three and 12 months of work experience; vocational training is accepted.

Size of work force: Large. In Orange County, 5,800 to 6,200 people, or 0.5% of the labor force, work as assemblers.

Expected demand: A slow growth rate or decline is expected as the practice of moving assembly operations to countries where labor is cheaper take their toll on the occupation; automation and robotics may also affect jobs. Job description: Assemblers put together parts of manufactured articles. In some instances, hundreds of assemblers work on a single product; in others, a single production worker is responsible for each product. They may work on subassemblies or complete the final assembly of finished products or components of products. Major employing industries: Manufacturing firms.

Advancement: Production workers are often promoted from the ranks. Experienced assemblers who have learned many assembly operations and who understand the construction of a product may become product repairers. Assemblers may also advance to inspector or be promoted to supervisor.

For more information: Call or visit the job service window at any office of the state Employment Development Department. In Orange County, the offices are at 900 E. Pacifico Ave. in Anaheim (714) 978-7421; 233 E. Commonwealth Ave., in Fullerton (714) 680-7800, and 1001 S. Grand Ave. in Santa Ana (714) 558-4294.