Road Worker
The Work
Road workers, also known as highway operatives, help build new roads and maintain existing ones. They are involved in re-surfacing, repairing potholes and cracks, widening roads or digging access trenches for laying cables and pipes used to supply gas, water or communications. They also maintain roadside verges and central reservations.
Some of this work is done by hand with picks and shovels, but heavy jobs involve a range of specialised machinery such as pneumatic drills, 360-degree excavators and rollers. Road workers also mix and spread materials such as aggregate, tarmac and concrete, build or repair pavements, lay kerbs, lay down road markings, and erect fences, barriers, road signs, traffic lights and street lamps.
In winter, they may also be involved in road gritting and snow clearance.
Safety plays a major role during a job and workers are responsible for setting up warning signs and cones, as well as the management of traffic and pedestrians close to the site.
Hours and Conditions
Roadworkers work a basic 37-hour week, often with early starts. However, overtime during evenings, nights and weekends is common, in order to minimise disruption to traffic.
Roadworkers work outside in all weathers and the work is noisy, dirty and physically demanding. Protective clothing such as ear defenders and safety hats and boots are usually necessary.
The work involves travelling both locally and further afield, and can mean short or long periods away from home. A driving licence may be helpful.
Skills and Interests
To be a road worker you should:
Training
Training is normally provided on the job with day or block release
at local colleges or training providers leading to NVQ / SVQ qualifications.
You work towards NVQs / SVQs in Construction and Civil Engineering
Services - Highways Maintenance levels 1 and 2 or NVQ in Construction
and Civil Engineering Services (Road Building) Level 2.
NVQs / SVQs for individual utilities (gas, water, and electricity) often include road-working functions. Training is also available in plant operations for road workers who may be operating machinery.
For those already working in the sector holding an LGV licence, City & Guilds offer a Winter Maintenance Operations award at Level 2, for the operation of heavy vehicles such as snowploughs, blowers and spreaders.
All sites on existing roads must have at least one trained and fully qualified operative. These workers are registered with the Street Works Qualifications Register and obtain an identity card. To qualify, you need one of the following:
For details on how to register and information on nearest assessment centres, contact Street Works Qualifications Register below.
Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (MAPPs) may be available for people aged 16-24. For details see:
MAPPs
(England)
Skillseekers
(Scotland)
National
Traineeships MAPPs (Wales) and
MAPPs
(Northern Ireland)
Opportunities
Road workers work for private civil engineering companies or for public bodies such as local councils. Work is available across the UK and abroad. Many road workers become self-employed, working on a contract basis. It may be possible to progress to supervisory positions such as 'ganger' or foreman, or to train for work on specialised machinery.
Salary
The figures below are intended as a guideline only.
New entrants can earn between £10,500 to £14,000 a year.
With experience, operatives can earn around £17,000+ a year.
Operatives with supervisory duties can earn up to £20,000+ a year.
Increases in pay are available with overtime and shift work, and there are usually additional payments for plant machine operators.
Further Information
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CITB - Construction Skills
Tel: 01485 577577
www.citb.org.uk
Street Works Qualifications Register
Tel: 0141 242 2239
www.streetworks.fsnet.co.uk
