Road worker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could take a college course like:

• Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills
• Level 2 Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering Operations (Construction)

Entry requirements:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You could do a road surfacing operative or highways maintenance operative intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

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

DirectApplication

You may be able to apply for jobs if you've got experience in other areas of construction work, like labouring or groundwork.

Required Skills:

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

Skills:

• knowledge of public safety and security
• knowledge of building and construction
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• physical fitness and endurance
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• knowledge of English language
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• the ability to use your initiative
• leadership skills
• observation and recording skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• active listening skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues

What you'll do:

Road workers build and repair roads and motorways.

As a road worker, you could:

• build, widen and resurface roads
• repair cracks, potholes and other damage
• lay pavements, kerbs and drains
• maintain roadside verges and central reservations
• paint road markings
• install crash barriers, road signs, traffic lights and street lamps
• dig trenches for cables and pipes
• operate power tools and machinery
• direct traffic around road works
• grit roads and clear snow in winter
• lead a team of workers

Location : You could work on the road.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, physically demanding, dirty and noisy.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £18,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

45 - 47 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, you could be a road works team supervisor, known as a 'ganger', or become a highways technician, helping to design road improvements.