Food Preparation Workers - 35-2021.00    
Summary Occupational Forecast Data
Annual Average Employment Employment Change Average Annual Job Openings Wage and Training Levels
2013 2018 Numerical Percent New Jobs Replacement Jobs Total Median Hourly   Median Annual     Education & Training Level  
6439
7025
586
9%
117
232
349
$9.50
$19,767
Short-term on-the-job training
Staffing Pattern Data Forecast Data Source: EMSI (1st Quarter 2013)
 
Description
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
 
Providers Compare
Tri-County Regional Occupational Program (ROP)
Yolo County Regional Occupational Program (ROP)

Career & Technical Education Providers (Secondary Schools)

 

Occupation Details
 The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

  • Tasks
  • Knowledge and Skills
  • Job Zone
  • Work Styles and Values
Tasks
  • Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
  • Portion and wrap the food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons.
  • Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.
  • Weigh or measure ingredients.
  • Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
  • Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.
  • Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
  • Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
  • Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches.
  • Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods.
  • Stir and strain soups and sauces.
  • Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads.
  • Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
  • Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures.
  • Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas such as refrigerators and freezers.
  • Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving.
  • Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.
Knowledge
  Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
  English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Skills
  Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities
  Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

Work Activities
  Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Job Zone  
Title Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
Overall Experience Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.
Job Training Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.
Job Zone Examples These occupations involve following instructions and helping others. Examples include taxi drivers, amusement and recreation attendants, counter and rental clerks, construction laborers, continuous mining machine operators, and waiters/waitresses.
Education Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Interests
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outsi
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
 
Work Styles
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
 
Work Values