8115 Metal making and treating process operatives

In short

• ONS unit group 8115, in minor group 811 (Process operatives) and major group 8 (Process, plant and machine operatives).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Table 6 and a transitional table: Table 2a, Table 6.
• Going rate as the table prints it:
  • Table 2a, Going rate (SW – option F): £31,300 (£16.05 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Metal making and treating process operatives operate furnaces, ovens and other heating vessels, drawing, rolling, extruding, galvanising, forging and other metal processing equipment to smelt, shape, coat and treat metal and metal products.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically provided on-the-job. Vocational qualifications at level 2 and 3 in relevant areas, including metal and materials processing and finishing. are available.

Tasks

• charges furnace, operates controls to regulate furnace temperature, and adds oxidising, alloying and fluxing agents as required
• withdraws samples of molten metal for analysis, taps slag from surface of molten metal and directs flow of molten metal into casts
• sets rolling speed, tension and space between rolls, guides the metal to and from rollers, and monitors the rolling process to detect irregularities, and ensure that the gauge and finish match required specifications
• operates equipment to remove dirt, scale and other surface impurities by immersion in chemical solution
• heats metal or metal articles in furnace, allows to cool for a specified time or quenches in brine, oil or water to harden, reduces brittleness and restores ductility
• operates piercing, extruding, pressing and other metal processing equipment to shape and treat metal or metal articles
• coats metal parts and articles electrolytically, forms metal articles by electro- and vacuum-deposition, dips and sprays articles with another metal, plastic powder or material and treats articles chemically to produce desired finishes

Related job titles

• Degreaser (metal trades)
• Electroplater
• Furnaceman (metal trades)
• Process worker (nickel mfr)
• Wire drawer

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 2a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 4 April 2024

SOC 2020 occupation code

8115 Metal making and treating process operatives

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

5234, 5449

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Galvanisers and platers
• Metal sprayers and powder coaters
• Metal making and treating process operatives not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – option F)

£31,300 (£16.05 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option J)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 6: SOC 2020 occupation codes which are not eligible for the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes

SOC 2020 occupation code

8115 Metal making and treating process operatives

Examples of related job titles (non-exhaustive)

• Degreaser (metal trades)
• Electroplater
• Furnaceman (metal trades)
• Process worker (nickel mfr)
• Wire drawer

Other unit groups in minor group 811

• 8111 Food, drink and tobacco process operatives
• 8112 Textile process operatives
• 8113 Chemical and related process operatives
• 8114 Plastics process operatives
• 8119 Process operatives n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

All 412 occupation codes

SponsorFlow provides compliance software and record-keeping tools. It is not a law firm or an immigration adviser and does not give legal or immigration advice, which are regulated activities (Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, section 84). This page describes what the published Home Office guidance and the Immigration Rules say, with the paragraph for each point, so you can read the source yourself. Guidance versions and figures are those in force on the date shown; the Home Office changes them, so check the current version before you rely on any of it.