SOUTH AFRICA 路 SALARY IN RANDS

Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

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What do Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products do?

Graders and Sorters for agricultural products are essential workers in the agricultural sector responsible for inspecting, grading, and sorting a variety of crops and produce to ensure that they meet specific quality standards before they are sold or processed. Their primary role involves evaluating the size, shape, color, and overall quality of fruits, vegetables, grains, and other agricultural products to categorize them appropriately. This process helps maintain the quality and safety of food products, which is crucial for consumer satisfaction and compliance with industry regulations. These workers often utilize various tools and technology, including mechanical equipment and sorting machines, to enhance efficiency in sorting processes. They may also perform manual sorting when necessary, particularly for delicate or highly perishable items. Additionally, graders and sorters must keep detailed records of quality assessments and inventory to aid in tracking product movement and ensuring that standards are consistently met. Their work supports the agricultural supply chain by ensuring that only the best-quality products reach market, thereby impacting both farmers' profits and consumer health.

What the work actually is

  • Place products in containers according to grade and mark grades on containers.
  • Weigh products or estimate their weight, visually or by feel.
  • Discard inferior or defective products or foreign matter, and place acceptable products in containers for further processing.
  • Grade and sort products according to factors such as color, species, length, width, appearance, feel, smell, and quality to ensure correct processing and usage.
  • Record grade or identification numbers on tags or on shipping, receiving, or sales sheets.

Skills employers expect

Abilities

  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Category Flexibility The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Finger Dexterity The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Less than high school diploma
High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

A normal week

  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Getting Information
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Electronic mail software Microsoft Outlook
  • Office suite software Microsoft Office software
  • Word processing software Microsoft Word

Tools

  • Grading machines for seed or grain or dried leguminous vegetables Deformation testers 路 Firmness testers 路 General purpose sizers
  • Sorting machines for seed or grain or dried leguminous vegetables Color sorters 路 Cross belt sorters 路 Shape sorting machines
  • Calipers 12-inch aluminum Kemper calipers 路 6-inch plastic calipers 路 Digital calipers
  • Centrifugal separation equipment or parts or screens Rotary sifters 路 Specific gravity separators
  • Electronic measuring probes Meat probes 路 Probes

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products earn in South Africa?

Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products do?

Place products in containers according to grade and mark grades on containers, Weigh products or estimate their weight, visually or by feel and Discard inferior or defective products or foreign matter, and place acceptable products in containers for further processing.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.