Plant Operator

Plant operators use heavy machinery to dig, lift and move materials on building sites. They can dramatically change landscapes or install impressive structures in a short time. Plant operators usually specialise in one type of equipment, such as an excavator or giant crane, and need good spatial awareness to move large scale machinery.

Onsite
Vehicles-Machinery
Secondary qualifications
Working alone

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.

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.

Find out more

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College/training provider

You may need to attend 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. 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.

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

Guide to apprenticeships

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.

Find out more about work experience

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as a plant operator 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

To become a plant operator, you could complete a:

Level 2 NVQ in Construction Plant Operations
Level 2 Construction Plant Operative Apprenticeship

Scotland

To become a plant operator, you could complete a:

SVQ at SCQF Level 5 & Level 6 in Plant Operations - where you would normally learn one piece of plant equipment such as an excavator
Modern Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering at SCQF Level 5 & Level 6 (Plant Operations) where you would normally train on one piece of equipment such as an excavator

Wales

To become a plant operator, you could complete a:

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 earn in the region of £19,000 - £25,000
Trained with experience plant operators can earn in the region of £25,000 - £30,000
Senior plant operators can earn in the region of £30,000 - £40,000

Salaries depend on location, employer and level of responsibility. Self-employed plant operators set their own pay rates.