SOC 2020 unit group 8131

8131 Paper and wood machine operatives

Unit group 8131 in the ONS Standard Occupational Classification 2020, with the line the Appendix Skilled Occupations gives it. Not immigration advice.

ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1: file dated 27 August 2026, version V13 · Appendix Skilled Occupations: figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked against the 8 October 2026 page on 26 October 2026 (unchanged)

In short

  • ONS unit group 8131, in minor group 813 (Plant and machine operatives) and major group 8 (Process, plant and machine operatives).
  • Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Not on the list: Table 6.
  • Going rate as the tables print it:

    What the ONS says

    Description

    Paper and wood machine operatives operate machines to treat and cut wood, to produce, treat and cut paper, paperboard, leatherboard, plasterboard and similar material, and to assemble and make wooden crates and containers.

    Typical entry routes

    There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically provided on-the-job. NVQs/ SVQs/vocational qualifications in Fibreboard Operations at levels 2 and 3, and apprenticeships are available. NVQs/SVQs/vocational- qualifications in Wood Machining are available at levels 2.

    Tasks

    • cuts and shapes wood using hand and power tools, assembles parts of wooden crates, barrels and other wooden containers using nails, bolts and staples, and fits metal strips and corner pieces to strengthen container as required
    • examines job requirements, ascertains necessary ingredients and loads machines to beat, mix and crush wood, cork and pulp for further processing
    • attends and operates ovens, kilns, milling, filtering, straining, calendering, coating, drying, finishing, winding and other machines to produce and/or treat wood, paper, paperboard, leatherboard and plasterboard
    • sets and adjusts edge guides, stops and blades of cutting machine, threads material through rollers or loads into machine hopper, starts and monitors operation of machine, removes completed work and clears machine of waste material

    Related job titles

    • Box maker (cardboard)
    • Guillotine operator (printing)
    • Machinist (paper goods mfr)
    • Sawyer
    • Wood machinist

    What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

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

    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
    8131 Paper and wood machine operatives
    Examples of related job titles (non-exhaustive)
    • Box maker (cardboard)
    • Guillotine operator (printing)
    • Machinist (paper goods mfr)
    • Sawyer
    • Wood machinist

    Other unit groups in minor group 813

    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

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