Road worker
Help build and repair roads and motorways to make sure travel is easy and safe for the public.
Also known as: highways operative
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£442
Entry level
£692
Experienced
Monthly
£1,917
Entry level
£3,000
Experienced
Yearly
£23,000
Entry level
£36,000
Experienced
1,200
people are currently employed
Low growth
No change in number of jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would help build and repair roads and motorways to make sure travel is easy and safe for the public.
You would:
Build, widen and resurface roads
Fix potholes and cracks
Lay pavements and kerbs
Maintain roadside verges and central reservations
Paint road markings
Put up crash barriers, road signs, traffic lights and street lamps
Dig trenches for cable and pipe laying
Grit roads and clear snow in winter
Use hand tools such as picks and shovels
Use power tools and machinery such as pneumatic drills and road rollers
Manage traffic and pedestrians close to work sites
You would have to understand health and safety rules, and follow them carefully.
Hours
Environment
Travel
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Road worker'
Select qualification level(s)
Other careers that you might like
Scaffolder Construction operative Demolition operative Electricity distribution worker
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Construction and built environment
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- taking initiative
- managing resources
- concentrating
- problem solving
- resilience
- adaptability
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Practical Craft Skills
Skills for Work: Rural Skills
There are no formal qualifications required to enter this role but most employers value a good general education including English and maths.
A Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence
Qualifications and experience that show practical skills such as Skills for Work Construction Crafts (SCQF level 4/5)
You need to be at least 18 years of age.
You may have to pass an aptitude test before entry.
You must hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent, pass a health and safety test to train or work on construction sites.
A driving licence is sometimes required.
Explore over 22,000 courses in Scotland
Find the perfect course to boost your career.
