Planning, process and production technicians SOC 3116
Planning, process and production technicians (SOC 3116) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer must pay at least the going rate of £34,800 per year. This role is on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, so you may qualify with a lower salary and get extra points. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.
What does a planning, process and production technician do?
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
Typical 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.
Visa sponsorship requirements
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
What planning, process and production technicians earn in the UK
UK market basic pay at a glance
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most planning, process and production technicians in the UK earn between £29,796 and £42,276 in basic pay. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the minimum salary (going rate) for this role is £34,800 (SOC 3116), sitting at the 48th percentile of what UK employers pay and £508 below the median. Since this falls below the general salary threshold, sponsors must pay at least £41,700.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
How to get sponsored as a planning, process and production technician
- 1
Find a licensed sponsor on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors
Browse our register of UK companies with an active sponsor licence. Filter by industry, size, sponsor rating, and whether they're currently hiring planning, process and production technicians, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsors - 2
Confirm the salary meets the £34,800 going rate
Your employer must pay whichever is higher: the going rate for SOC 3116 (£34,800) or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
New entrants and ISL roles may qualify for a lower rate. See the New entrant & discount rates section below.
- 3
Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship
Your sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a reference number the Home Office uses to check the job offer, salary, and duties line up with an eligible SOC code.
- 4
Apply for a Skilled Worker visa at gov.uk
Submit the Skilled Worker visa application online within 3 months of your CoS assignment date. You'll also book a biometric appointment and pay the immigration health surcharge.
Apply on gov.uk - 5
Move to the UK and start work
Travel to the UK before your CoS start date and begin working for the sponsor named on the certificate.
New entrant & discount rates
If you're under 26, switching from a Student visa, or a recent UK graduate, your employer can pay the new entrant rate of £28,700 (70% of the going rate) for up to four years.
Roles under SOC 3116
Recent jobs under SOC 3116
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Are you ready for a hands-on, fulfilling career where no two days are the same? Our Production Technician Apprenticeship offers an exciting opportunity to work within SSE Thermal as we seek to become the leading provider of flexible thermal energy in a net zero world. Transforming high-carbon generation assets to low-carbon whilst ensuring a Just Transition for our people.
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About The Role Base Location: Keadby (North Lincolnshire) Salary: £15,782 plus a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family. Working Pattern: 4 years | Full Time | Fixed Term Contract Start date: 7th September, 2026 We offer an excellent package with 34 days annual leave entitlement. Enhanced maternity/paternity leave, discounted healthcare, salary sacrifice car leasing and much more, view our full benefits package on our careers site. About The Role Are you ready for a han
Related occupations
Other Skilled Worker-eligible roles in the same SOC minor group (311xx):
Frequently asked questions
Can planning, process and production technicians get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Planning, process and production technicians roles fall under SOC 3116 (Medium Skilled), so they qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer will need a sponsor licence and must pay at least the going rate for this occupation. This role is also on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, which can mean a lower salary bar.
What salary do planning, process and production technicians need for visa sponsorship?
The going rate for Planning, process and production technicians (SOC 3116) is £41,700 (£21.38 per hour). Standard minimum applies. Your employer must pay whichever is higher: this going rate or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
What job titles are covered by SOC 3116?
SOC 3116 covers a range of planning, process and production technicians roles, including: Planning, process and production technicians. Keep in mind that the Home Office matches jobs by duties rather than title alone. Two roles with the same title can fall under different SOC codes depending on the actual work involved.
What does the Shortage Occupation List mean for planning, process and production technicians?
Planning, process and production technicians (SOC 3116) is on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, which recognises a UK labour shortage in this field. In practice that means a lower salary threshold, plus extra "tradeable" points on your visa application. The Home Office lets shortage status stand in for a higher salary.
Is there a lower salary for new graduates entering planning, process and production technicians roles?
Yes. If you're under 26, a recent graduate, or switching from a Student visa, you count as a "new entrant" and your employer only needs to pay 70% of the going rate (with an absolute floor of £33,400/year — the new-entrant minimum cannot go below that). For Planning, process and production technicians, that works out to £28,700. The discount lasts up to four years.
Where can I find planning, process and production technicians jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list Planning, process and production technicians roles from companies with a Home Office sponsor licence. Scroll down to see what's currently open, or search our full jobs database for more visa-sponsored positions across the UK.
This information is provided as guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. Eligibility criteria and salary thresholds are based on the latest published government data. Always verify with the official UK government guidance or seek professional immigration advice.