Plant Operator

Go Construct; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A construction career platform is seeking plant operators responsible for operating heavy machinery like excavators and cranes. Successful candidates should have the ability to comply with safety checks and maintain equipment. Experience is advantageous, but enthusiasm for the role is equally valuable. Main qualifications include various NVQs and apprenticeships in plant operations. This role offers competitive salaries ranging from £25,000 to £46,500 depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in operating heavy machinery is beneficial.
• Enthusiastic and willing to learn.
• Ability to follow instructions is important.

Responsibilities

• Using 180 and 360-degree excavators.
• Moving earth with excavators, bulldozers and dumper trucks.
• Operating giant cranes and working with slinger signallers.
• Managing safety checks and machine functionality.

Skills

Able to use, repair and maintain machines and tools

Knowledge of engineering science, maths, and technology

Design skills and knowledge

Able to work well with your hands

Thorough and attention to detail

Able to accept criticism and work under pressure

Teamwork skills

Computer literacy

Education

Level 2 NVQ in Construction Plant Operations

Level 2 Construction Plant Operative Apprenticeship

SVQ at SCQF Level 5 & Level 6 in Plant Operations

Modern Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering at SCQF Level 5 & Level 6

Level 3 Apprenticeship in Plant Operations

Job description

What does a plant operator do?

As a plant operator you will be responsible for using a variety of machinery to do tasks such as removing soil or dirt, moving equipment around a site, or creating new structures.

The job role of a plant operator involves the following duties:

• Using 180 and 360-degree excavators
• Moving earth with excavators, bulldozers and dumper trucks
• Loading shovels
• Operating giant cranes and working with slinger signallers via radio
• Levelling out areas with compactors
• Using piling rigs and concrete pumps
• Using forklifts to unload and move materials around the site
• Carrying out safety checks and keeping machines running properly
• Changing buckets and other machine attachments
• Working on building sites doing noisy, physically demanding and messy work.

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How to become a plant operator

There are several routes to becoming a plant operator. You could do a college course, an apprenticeship or on the job training.

You should explore these routes to find out which is the right one for you. Although some of these routes have certain qualification requirements, many employers are more interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and able to follow instructions.

You may need Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) or Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) cards to work on a construction site.

College/training provider

You may need to attend a specialist college or training provider to gain the right qualifications.

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship with a construction firm or plant hire company is a good way into the industry.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

You could complete a Plant Operator or Lifting Technician intermediate apprenticeship or an NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations. An intermediate apprenticeship takes around two years to complete.

You might need GCSEs (including English and maths) or equivalent, to do an apprenticeship, but not all employers ask for formal qualifications.

Work

If you have experience in operating heavy machinery, you might be able to apply for a job directly. If not, you could look for work as a general construction labourer or operative to gain on-site experience. Your employer may then offer on-the-job training.

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. Employers will always be pleased to see it listed on your CV.

Skills

• Able to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• Knowledge of engineering science, maths, and technology
• Design skills and knowledge
• Able to work well with your hands
• Be thorough and pay attention to detail
• Able to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• Able to work well with others
• Able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Qualifications

• Level 2 NVQ in Construction Plant Operations
• Level 2 Construction Plant Operative Apprenticeship
• SVQ at SCQF Level 5 & Level 6 in Plant Operations – normally learn one piece of plant equipment such as an excavator
• Modern Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering at SCQF Level 5 & Level 6 (Plant Operations) – normally train on one piece of equipment such as an excavator
• Level 2 NVQ in Plant Operations
• Level 3 Apprenticeship in Plant Operations

How much could you earn as a plant operator?

The expected salary for a plant operator varies as you become more experienced.

• Newly trained plant operators can start at £25,000
• Trained with experience plant operators can earn up to £46,500*

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, any overtime you may do, and whether you have completed an industry recognised training route.

Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources.