Construction plant operator

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working your way into the role
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course, for example:

• Level 2 Certificate in Construction Plant Operations
• Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment

These courses will teach you some of the skills you need. Once you finish the course, you could try to find a trainee job with a building company.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through a construction plant operator intermediate apprenticeship.

If you want to operate cranes, you could do a lifting technician intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Work

You could find work as a general construction labourer to get some on-site experience. Once you're working, your employer may offer you training in plant operation.

DirectApplication

It may be possible to apply directly to employers if you've got experience in construction or operating other types of heavy machinery.

Some employers may ask for GCSEs in subjects like English, maths and design and technology.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• physical skills like movement and coordination
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of building and construction
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work on your own
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• observation and recording skills
• business management skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• knowledge of public safety and security
• concentration skills
• knowledge of maths
• leadership skills
• practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment

What you'll do:

Construction plant operators work with machinery and equipment used on building sites.

In your day-to-day job you could:

• use 180 and 360 degree excavators
• move earth with bulldozers and dumper trucks
• operate a crane, under radio direction from a slinger or signaller
• level out work areas with compactors
• operate piling rigs and concrete pumps
• use forklifts to unload and move building materials around the site
• change buckets, shovels and other attachments
• make safety checks on machines

Location : You could work on a construction site.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, noisy, at height and dirty.

Salary:

Starter : £19,000
Experienced : £36,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

48 - 50 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends away from home

Career Path:

You could move into construction site supervision, site estimating or work in plant hire and equipment sales.

You might become a supervisor or coordinator which involves choosing the right machinery for jobs and assessing new equipment.