Occupation intelligence

fish canning operator

Role lens

Preserve the ocean's bounty and contribute to a vital food industry as a fish canning operator. This skilled role combines technical precision with hands-on work, ensuring fish is safely and effectively prepared for consumers worldwide.

Summary

As a fish canning operator, your day involves a range of tasks focused on preparing and preserving fish. You'll work within a canning facility, often operating machinery and following strict procedures to maintain quality and safety. The process begins with ensuring fish is properly cleaned and prepared, then moving on to brining, cooking, and carefully packaging it into cans. Sterilization of equipment is also a crucial element of the role.

Key responsibilities
  • • Brining, cooking, and packaging fish according to established recipes and quality standards.
  • • Sterilizing fish canning lines and equipment to prevent spoilage and ensure food safety.
  • • Introducing prepared fish into tanks and cans, either manually or using mechanical equipment.

Preserve the ocean's bounty and contribute to a vital food industry as a fish canning operator. This skilled role combines technical precision with hands-on work, ensuring fish is safely and effectively prepared for consumers worldwide.

Advanced Manufacturing Upper secondary education
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Day in the life

What people in this role usually do

Advanced Manufacturing

Day in the life

A typical day as a fish canning operator

09
09:00 · Morning
check quality of products on the production line
Check products for quality on the production line and remove defective items before and after packaging.
10
10:30 · Mid-morning
clean food and beverage machinery
Clean machinery used for food or beverage production processes. Prepare the appropriate solutions for cleaning. Prepare all parts and assure that they are clean enough to avoid deviation or errors in the production process.
12
12:00 · Midday
administer ingredients in food production
Ingredients to be added and the required amounts according to the recipe and the way those ingredients are to be administered.
14
14:00 · Afternoon
apply GMP
Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
15
15:30 · Late afternoon
apply preservation treatments
Apply common treatments to preserve the characteristics of food products taking care of their appearance, smell and taste.
17
17:00 · Wrap-up
apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages
Apply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.

Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.

Software & Technologies & Knowledge areas
Software & Technologies
Belmar & Associates MortwareHMIS AdvantageMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Word
Knowledge areas
  • food canning production line

    Steps in the canning process line from washing, conditioning and weighing food products, washing and preparing cans, filling cans, as well as other operations in order to obtain the end product.

  • food preservation

    Deterioration factors, controlling factors (temperature, additives, humidity, pH, water activity, etc., including packaging) and food processing methods to preserve food products.

  • food storage

    The proper conditions and methods to store food to keep it from spoiling, taking into account humidity, light, temperature and other environmental factors.

  • legislation about animal origin products

    The applicable legal rules on temperature, waste materials, traceability, labelling, trading, and the transport of animal origin products.

Cross-sector skills
  • health, safety and hygiene legislation
Essential skills
fabricating food and related products
  • preserve fish products

    Place and classify fish products for proper conservation. Maintain suitable conditions for the conservation of fishery products.

  • apply preservation treatments

    Apply common treatments to preserve the characteristics of food products taking care of their appearance, smell and taste.

  • remove parts of fish

    Remove guts, heads and tails for fish and seafood production.

operating food processing machinery
  • administer ingredients in food production

    Ingredients to be added and the required amounts according to the recipe and the way those ingredients are to be administered.

  • execute chilling processes to food products

    Carry out chilling, freezing and cooling operation processes to food products such as fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, catering food. Prepare food products for extended periods of storage or half prepared food. Ensure safety and nutrition qualities of frozen goods and preserve products in accordance with specified temperatures.

ensuring compliance with legislation
  • apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages

    Apply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.

  • apply GMP

    Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

installing wooden and metal components
  • maintain cutting equipment

    Maintenance of the cutting equipment (knives, cutters, and other elements).

maintaining and enforcing physical security
  • tolerate strong smells

    Tolerate strong smells expelled by the goods being processed during the production of goods.

cleaning interior and exterior of buildings
  • ensure sanitation

    Keep workspaces and equipment free from dirt, infection, and disease by removing waste, trash and providing for appropriate cleaning.

operating packaging machinery
  • tend canning machine

    Tend canning machine powered by electricity or batteries in order to can various types of food.

preparing industrial materials for processing or use
  • inspect raw food materials

    Inspect raw materials required for the production process, assessing quality and hidden flaws. Verify the origin of the raw materials using the sector defined documents, stamps or marks.

Career progression

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What level of physical fitness is required for this role?
The job can involve standing for extended periods and repetitive motions. Some lifting and carrying of fish and cans may be necessary, so a reasonable level of physical fitness is beneficial.
Are there opportunities for self-employment as a fish canning operator?
While most fish canning operators are employed by canning facilities, there are also opportunities to operate a small-scale canning business independently, particularly in regions with local fishing industries.
What safety precautions are important in this role?
Strict adherence to food safety protocols is paramount. This includes wearing appropriate protective gear, following sterilization procedures meticulously, and being aware of potential hazards associated with hot cooking equipment and machinery.