Keen to increase your career opportunities within the construction industry?
By obtaining the right plant operator qualifications, you could become a fully qualified plant operator in the construction sector – playing a crucial role in the development of new builds, the creation of new road structures, and many other vital infrastructure projects.
Below, the knowledgeable team at SB Skills Solutions explains how you can become a construction plant operator – including the qualifications you should consider applying for.
What is a plant operator?
Unsure whether you want to take on the roles and responsibilities of a plant operator? While a plant operator can work in various industries, the position typically involves overseeing of the daily running of an industrial plant.
However, the primary responsibility of a plant operator, as the name suggests, is the operation of the plant’s heavy machinery. For example, a plant operator in the construction industry might operate machinery like ride-on-road rollers, crawler cranes, forward-tipping dumpers, and mini excavators.
As well as the construction industry, plant operator positions can also be found in power plants, chemical plants, oil refineries, wastewater treatment plants, gas extraction facilities, as well as a variety of other industrial, chemical, and nuclear locations.
The typical responsibilities of a plant operator include:
- The supervision of operations
- Monitoring process parameters
- Conducting maintenance tests
- Ensuring safety rules are followed
- Operating heavy machinery and equipment
- Transporting and storing various materials
How to become a plant operator
From applying for an apprenticeship to working your way up, there are various routes into the plant operator profession.
To help you understand your options and choose the right avenue for you, we explore some of the different ways that you can become a construction plant operator in more detail below.
College or training provider
When it comes to gaining qualifications, a college or training provider seems like the obvious place to start and there are two options you can consider.
This includes the Level 2 Certificate in Construction Plant Operations and the Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment.
However, it’s important to bear in mind that on-site experience is also required to become a construction plant operator. As a result, after completing their training, applicants will typically take on a trainee position on a construction site to gain this vital experience.
To take a level 2 course, applicants will require 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), while those wishing to take a level 3 course will need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C). If you don’t possess any GCSEs, you’ll require an equivalent qualification.
Apprenticeship
For those who want to earn money at the same time as gaining a qualification from a college or training provider, an apprenticeship is often the best option.
Apprenticeships are typically more accessible and can be taken by all individuals over the age of 16. However, individuals may also need to possess some GCSEs (including maths and English) or an equivalent qualification to successfully apply for an apprenticeship.
Both construction plant operator intermediate apprenticeships and lifting technician intermediate apprenticeships can be helpful avenues into this profession.
Trade work
A common route into plant operation is simply working your way up. While you may need certain GCSE grades (in subjects like English, maths, and technology), employers in the construction industry are often willing to provide work as a general labourer with training opportunities.
Individuals with the necessary enthusiasm and work ethic can work towards obtaining the required plant operator skills and qualifications, while their employers offer them invaluable on-site experience with the operation and maintenance of heavy machinery and equipment.
Upon gaining enough construction industry experience, skills, and knowledge, your employer may decide to contact a training provider on your behalf to help you achieve the necessary plant operator qualifications.
What qualifications does a plant operator need?
While the exact qualifications you require for a plant operator position will vary depending on which industry you’re interested in, the team at SB Skills Solutions knows exactly which plant operator qualifications are required to get involved in the construction industry.
In England, you’ll need to achieve either your Level 2 NVQ (National Vocational Qualification – practical, work-based qualifications) in Construction Plant Operations, your Level 2 Construction Plant Operative Apprenticeship qualification, or your Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment.
Once you’ve achieved one of these essential plant operator qualifications, you can then apply for your blue CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) Competence Card or your CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) accreditation – both of which can support you with securing work on a construction site as a plant operator.
Explore plant operator training courses at SB Skills Solutions
Considering a career as a plant operator in the construction industry?
With a little help from experts at SB Skills Solutions, you can achieve the necessary plant operator qualifications to get involved in this industry.
We can help you to explore a variety of plant operator training courses in the UK and choose one that meets your specific requirements. Individuals who successfully complete our NVQ Level 2 Plant Operations course, for example, will benefit from a CITB-recognised qualification.
Due to this recognition, this plant operator qualification can also help you apply for your blue CPCS Competence Card. A blue CPCS Competence Card demonstrates that the holder possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to competently and safely operate a particular type of plant.
Whether you want to increase your earning potential or explore greater career opportunities, why not contact us today to explore our wide range of plant operator training courses?
If you’re interested in finding out more about one of our plant operator courses, please feel free to give our professional team a call at 01695 558420. Alternatively, simply get in touch via email at info@sbskills.co.uk.
Once we receive your enquiry, one of our helpful team members will reach out to you soon to learn more about your training requirements and how we can help!
