CSR Agency UK | Bespoke Educational Social Impact Courses
Key Responsibilities
• Equipment operation: people in this career have to operate large machinery used for construction and installation, like cranes, pile drivers, bulldozers, forklifts and excavators.
• Follow safety regulations: they are responsible for operating large and dangerous machinery and therefore must follow health, safety and environmental regulations.
• Follow construction instructions: follow instructions in order to accurately and efficiently carry out their job constructing the port.
• Machinery maintenance: report any issues with the large equipment they are operating and work closely with mechanics to solve any issues.
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Salary Range
Entry-Level
Experienced
Essential Skills
• Radio and hand signal communication: these skills are required for coordinating lifts and movements in busy construction sites.
• Heavy machine operation: ability and knowledge of how to handle the heavy equipment needed during construction.
• GPS and Laser guidance systems: ability to use and understand modern tracking and precise control systems .
• Teamwork skills: ability to work with a team of construction workers as well as engineers.
• Risk assessment: ability to recognise potential dangers and hazards whilst operating large and dangerous machinery.
• Working under pressure: the ability to work efficiently in a high stress and busy environment like a construction site.
Qualifications and Training
Some employers may require GCSE's in subjects like English, Maths and Design and Technology. You will also need a valid commercial drivers license.
Vocational Courses: a level 2 certificate in Construction plant operations or a level 3 Diploma in Construction and the built environment are courses that would help you achieve this career.
A common way in which operators start their careers is through apprenticeships, which allow you to earn money and receive on-the-job training as well as classroom learning.
The CPCS card is essential for being able to work on construction sites, you will need to pass the health, safety and environment test, achieve the CPCS theory test and the CPCS practical test.
Training Providers in the UK
• Alpha safety: Based in Swansea and Cardiff, provides the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test as well as training schemes http://www.alphasafety.co.uk
• ACOP group: Based in Llanelli, provides training for heavy equipment operators and courses for gaining your CPCS card http://acopgroup.com/
• COTS Training Ltd – Skills house training centre: based in Swansea, have health and safety courses as well as plant and construction courses https://www.cotstraining.co.uk/about
• ARC Plant & Civils Training: Based in Cardiff, provides CPCS courses and tests as well as other useful courses http://plant.thearcgroup.co.uk/
Employment Opportunities in the UK
• Andrew Scott Ltd: Construction company originally from Scotland that expanded to South Wales, offers apprenticeships in construction as well as jobs https://andrewscott.co.uk
• CJ Construction: Construction company based in South Wales that works on a range of different projects, opportunities for individuals looking to go into heavy equipment operations