SOC 2020 unit group 8135

8135 Printing machine assistants

Unit group 8135 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 8135, 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

    Printing machine assistants set and operate letterpress, platen or cylinder, lithographic and photogravure printing machines, photocopiers, office printers, duplication machines and other reprographic equipment.

    Typical entry routes

    No academic qualifications are required. Off and on-the-job training is provided. NVQs/SVQs in Screen Printing are available at levels 1 and 2, and in Machine Printing at levels 2 and 3.

    Tasks

    • positions printing plates, loads inks into reservoirs and loads paper rolls or sheets into printing press
    • sets controls to control the speed, pressure and ink flow of printing machine
    • loads photocopiers, office printers, duplication machines and other reprographic equipment with stationery
    • starts reprographic or printing machine and monitors operation for paper misfeeds and error messages, removes blockages and replaces damaged paper, and monitors quality of output
    • carries out routine maintenance and cleaning of printing machine
    • sets and operates machines for cutting paper to specified dimensions or for folding or binding to produce finished paper items
    • sets and operates presses for stamping patterns and labels on textiles, clothing, pottery, footwear and other leather goods

    Related job titles

    • Finishing operative (printing)
    • Lithographer (printing)
    • Machinist (printing)
    • Print operator
    • Printer’s assistant

    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
    8135 Printing machine assistants
    Examples of related job titles (non-exhaustive)
    • Finishing operative (printing)
    • Lithographer (printing)
    • Machinist (printing)
    • Print operator
    • Printer’s assistant

    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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