Quarry worker

As a quarry worker, you could:

• use mechanical diggers to excavate rock, clay, sand, gravel and slate
• operate equipment like rock crushers and stone graders
• use drilling equipment
• maintain vehicles and machinery
• set and detonate explosives
• transport materials to a processing plant

• the ability to operate and control equipment
• the ability to work well with your hands
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• physical fitness and endurance
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You may need a Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) card to operate heavy plant machinery.

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

With training and experience, you could become a site supervisor, mineral products technician or quarry manager.

You could also move into:

• quality control
• explosives work - shotfiring
• health and safety inspection
• machine and plant maintenance
• laboratory work, testing mineral samples