Plant Mechanic

Plant mechanics repair and maintain heavy construction machinery so that projects can be completed efficiently and safely. As a plant mechanic, you’d conduct regular inspections on dumpers, excavators, cranes and more. You’d need a good understanding of how each machine works, and be able to repair them on-site or access replacement parts quickly.

Onsite
Mechanical-Electrical
Secondary qualifications
Fixing things

What does a plant mechanic do?

As a plant mechanic you will be responsible for inspecting machinery and ensuring that they are safe for use by repairing or maintaining them, often using specialist equipment.

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

Inspecting machines for defects, often using specialist computer equipment
Undertaking routine inspections of engines, gearboxes, hydraulics, electrical systems, tyres and frames
Dismantling and repairing or replacing faulty components
Reassembling and testing components to ensure they’re working safely
Checking new equipment before it’s used on site
Using reports to diagnose and find faults
Keeping records of work done to machinery
Explaining faults to colleagues and managers
Using a wide range of specialist hand and power tools, including sockets, spanners, screwdrivers, drills, lifting gear, and welding and cutting equipment
Working on building sites or in workshops, doing noisy, physically demanding and messy work.

How to become a plant mechanic

You can gain the qualifications you need by doing a college course or an apprenticeship. You will also need to hold a full driving licence to work as a plant mechanic.

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

College/training provider

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

Funding advice

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. To become a qualified plant mechanic you will need a full driving licence and your employer may require you to be over a certain age (18 or 25) for insurance purposes. 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.

Guide to apprenticeships

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. You may have experience of driving plant machinery or knowledge of motor vehicle engineering.

Find out more about work experience

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as a plant mechanic include:

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

England

Scotland

Wales

How much could you earn as a plant mechanic?

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

• Newly trained plant mechanics can start at £24,000

• Trained with experience plant mechanics can earn up to £56,000*

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

Career path and progression

Construction technologies are advancing fast, so even experienced plant mechanics need to keep training to stay up to date.

With time you could become a plant technician or technical service provider. Alternatively, you could progress to be a plant or site manager, or supervisor and earn a higher salary.

Some plant mechanics go into teaching or set up their own business and work as subcontractors.