Plant operators work with machinery used on construction sites, road and railworks and in forestry. Machines include:

• 180 and 360 degree excavators (JCBs)
• earth moving bulldozers and dumper trucks
• static tower cranes, and mobile and rough terrain cranes for lifting and moving materials
• compactors and whacker plates for flattening out work areas.

Operators also use forklifts and telescopic handlers to move or load building materials.

In addition to driving and operating plant machinery, operators change buckets and other attachments, maintain equipment and carry out daily safety checks.

A banksman/woman may work with the operator at ground level, checking the position and depth of an excavation or directing the operator by signals or radio when visibility is restricted.

Hours and Environment

Plant operators usually work 39 hours a week, but working hours may vary to meet deadlines.

You work outdoors in all weathers and conditions can be noisy and dirty. Some machines may be open to the weather while others have heated cabs. Some jobs involve working at heights.

You will have to travel to local building sites and further afield. Depending on the contract, there may be periods spent away from home. 

You wear personal protective clothing for all jobs, including a safety helmet, ear defenders and boots.

Skills and Interests

To be a construction plant operator, you should:

• have a basic knowledge of vehicle mechanics
• have good eyesight, hearing and be able to concentrate
• have practical ability and be able to follow detailed instructions
• be physically fit and agile for changing attachments and climbing in and out of cabs
• have good communication skills
• be able to follow safe working practices
• be able to work well as part of a team
• be comfortable working at heights for some jobs.

Entry

You do not need formal academic qualifications to work as a plant operator but some employers may look for some GCSEs/S grades in subjects such as maths, English and design and technology, or equivalent vocational qualifications like the Edexcel (BTEC) Introductory Certificate or Diploma in Construction.

You may want to consider working as a labourer at first, to gain on site experience. Once working, your employer may offer training in plant operation.

Another option is to train as a construction apprentice with a contractor. Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information about apprenticeships in other parts of the UK, see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Previous driving experience with LGVs or forklifts may be an advantage. 

ConstructionSkills has information on construction careers, training and qualifications in Further Information; and the Equal Opportunities Commission is promoting the construction trades as a career option for women through its Know Your Place campaign.

Training

You normally receive training on the job, with day or block release at local colleges or training providers, leading to NVQ/SVQ qualifications. You work towards NVQ/SVQ in Plant Operations Level 2.

As well as mandatory units, options include:

• cranes and lifting equipment
• earthmoving and extraction equipment
• powered access (telescopic handlers) equipment
• transporting loads
• compaction equipment.

There are also options for slinger/signaller work, dismantling cranes and rigs, and barge and rail work. You may have the option to progress to NVQ Construction Plant and Equipment Supervision at Level 3.

For details of construction plant trainers, contact ConstructionSkills and the Construction Plant Hire Association below. ConstructionSkills also lists NVQ/SVQ providers by region on their website.

Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS)
Most contractors insist that you hold a CPCS card to work on site. The red 'trainee' card allows you to operate plant on site to build up your experience. Once you have completed relevant NVQ/SVQ units for the category of plant you operate, you can convert to the blue/green card to prove you are fully competent. For full details about the CPCS scheme, contact ConstructionSkills below.  

CTA/NPORS/Lantra Awards
Since January 2004, the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) card - formerly CTA/NPORS/Lantra Awards - will be the only accepted proof of an operator's competence. If you hold one of the older awards, contact ConstructionSkills for details about converting to CPCS.

Opportunities

Building and civil engineering contractors, local authorities, other public organisations and plant hire companies employ plant operators. It may be possible to work abroad on contract or to progress to site supervisory positions and construction site management.

Plant operators can also move into specialised areas of work, such as estimating, or become plant coordinators, selecting the machinery needed for each new project and assessing new machinery. Plant sales is another area open to those with in-depth knowledge of the machinery.

Self-employment is common, either as an owner-operator or on a labour-only basis for a contractor.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Trainees' salaries go up to £13,000 a year.
With qualifications, plant operators can earn between £15,000 and £19,000.
Experienced plant operators can earn between £20,000 and £26,000 a year.

Operators can increase their salary with overtime and bonus payments if working on contracts.

Further information

27/28 Newbury Street
London
EC1A 7HU
Tel: 020 7796 3366 Bircham Newton
King's Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 6RH
Tel: 01485 577577