Construction operative
Career outlook for construction operative
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£17,000
£17,000
Experienced
£32,000
£32,000
Currently employed in Scotland
5,400
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You’d work as part of a team on a building site to construct a building or structure safely and efficiently.
You’d use different building methods and work with a variety of materials. You’d use hand, power and machine tools, following health and safety rules, to successfully complete the different processes involved in a construction project.
At the start of a project you’d help to prepare the site. For example, you would:
- Put up site huts
- Unload and store building materials
- Set up ladders and scaffolding
Once work starts, you could do a variety of tasks including:
- Groundworking – mark out and dig shallow trenches for foundations and drains
- Formworking – put up or dismantle the shuttering that holds concrete in place while it’s setting
- Steel fixing– bend and fix the bars used to reinforce concrete structures
- Steel piling – fix steel sheets together to form temporary retaining walls for excavation work
- Concreting – layer and smooth concrete for foundations, floors and beams
- Road working –pour concrete and lay kerbs, paving and re-surfacing
With further training, you could operate construction plant equipment, such as dumper trucks or excavators.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
58%
Part-time
14%
Self employed
27%
Search course options
Thinking about your future? There are lots of courses available that could interest you. Use our course search to explore course options.
Find coursesSearch job opportunities
If you're looking for your new career our job search can help you. Discover interesting opportunities and decide your next steps.
Find a jobTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Cooperating
- Resourceful
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Developing a plan
Skills Explorer
Your skills can help you choose the career that's right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.
Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.
Use the Skills Explorer toolGetting in
Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Qualifications
There are no formal qualifications required for entry to this role but some employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF level 4/5.
Useful subjects
- English
- Maths
- Practical technologies subjects
You will also need
You usually need to pass an aptitude test.
You must hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent and pass a health and safety test to work and train on construction sites.
There is no age restriction for entry to the role but if you have to operate machinery you must be over 18 years old.
Helpful to have
Qualifications that demonstrate an understanding of construction and practical skills such as
- Skills for Work Construction Engineering (SCQF level 3)
- Construction Crafts (SCQF level 4/5)
A Modern Apprenticeship leading to relevant work-based experience and qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Construction: Building (SVQ level 2/3).
A driving licence can be useful.