Road worker job

A road worker is someone who assists in the construction of new roads and pavements, who also helps repair or enhance existing roads, and who bury cables under the surface of roadways. In certain places, they are also referred to as Vehicle Restraint Operatives and Highway Maintenance Operatives.

The Work Being Done

You might be:

The digging of trenches for the purpose of installing cables and pipelines in order to provide services such as gas, electricity, water, telephones, and televisions.

employing equipment such as drills, cement mixers, and rollers, in addition to manual instruments like as picks and shovels and other hand tools.

maneuvering huge cars while operating associated apparatus

preparing and laying down asphalt, concrete, gravel, and crushed stone

placing kerb slabs and paving stones

the road markers were painted, potholes were filled up, and cracks were resurfaced.

installing road signs, traffic lights, and street lights in addition to fences, barriers (also known as vehicle restraint devices), and road signs.

thinning off the vegetation and mowing the grass in the central reserves

sprinkling snow with grit and salt when the weather is snowy.

Pay

The following numbers should only be used as a reference. The pay rates might vary based on the following:

where you make a living

the magnitude of your business.

the level of competition for the job.

The National Minimum Wage is often used as a benchmark for determining starting pay. Those who are under the age of 19 or who are 19 or older but are still in the first year of their apprenticeship are eligible to receive the apprentice rate of £4.81 per hour (1 April 2022).

The starting wage for certified road workers is around £9.00 per hour, and it may increase to approximately £12.50 per hour or more with experience. Overtime pay and shift differentials are two ways to supplement your income.

Conditions

You are required to labor outside in all kinds of weather.

You employ highly loud equipment such as pneumatic drills.

You outfit yourself with safety gear, which may include a jacket with luminous material, ear muffs, a hard helmet, and boots.

It's possible that your job requires you to work in isolated regions, put in a lot of miles on the road, and spend days at a time away from home.

The typical work week is somewhere between 37 and 39 hours, although it's not unusual to have to put in extra time.

In order to minimize the impact on the flow of traffic, you work nights and weekends.

You are responsible for carrying a variety of heavy goods, equipment, and tools.

Getting In

You could qualify for this position if you completed a Modern Apprenticeship in Construction: Civil Engineering at SCQF Level 5.

Formal credentials are not usually required, although some organizations want you to have courses at the National 4 or 5 level, including English, Math, and a Science or Technology topic.

During years S3 to S6, you might work toward earning a Foundation Apprenticeship in Construction, which corresponds to a SCQF Level 4 or 5 and can enable you enter a Modern Apprenticeship in a related field.

You should have a fundamental understanding of reading and numbers.

As part of the application process, you could be asked to complete a test of your abilities.

It is possible that previous experience working as a laborer is required.

A valid driver's license is often necessary, and obtaining a license to operate a large goods vehicle (LGV) may be quite helpful.

It is recommended that you have a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC).

In order to operate some vehicles and pieces of equipment, you need to be at least 18 years old.

To be able to work on a site, you are need to have a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or an equivalent. A exam on health and safety will need to be passed successfully by you.

You should look for work opportunities with the local government, as well as with private construction contractors and civil engineering businesses.

What are the Prerequisites?

You must have:

endurance and a high level of physical fitness

assurance in one's ability to operate equipment

a steadying influence

the capacity to carry out directions with accuracy

an understanding of the rules and regulations regarding health and safety

a readiness to perform callout shifts outside of usual business hours as necessary

the capacity to do tasks within a group setting.

Training

The majority of an apprentice's training takes place on the job, although some of it may also take place in a classroom setting. You would be working for the SVQ Road Building and Maintenance (Construction) qualification at the SCQF Level 5 level.

You have the opportunity to study on a part-time basis for the SVQ Winter Services (Construction) at the SCQF Level 5 qualification.

Road workers may qualify for an identification card issued by the Street Works Qualification Register by taking one of many short courses that are offered by a variety of institutions and private training providers.

You might participate in training to get the privilege of operating specialized and huge vehicles.

Getting a Grip

After gaining experience, you have the option of progressing to a managerial role, such as ganger, or of receiving training to operate specialized equipment.

You may potentially start your own business and subcontract your services to other companies, or you could look for employment in another country.