Road worker

As a road worker, you could:

• operate power tools and plant machinery
•  build and maintain roads, tunnels, drains and pathways
•  repair potholes and resurface damaged highways
•  maintain roadside verges and central reservations
•  paint road markings, and put up traffic lights and road signs
•  dig trenches to install or repair cables and pipes
•  grit roads and clear snow in winter

• knowledge of building and construction
• knowledge of public safety and security 
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• physical fitness and endurance
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• customer service skills
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You may need to join the Street Works Qualifications Register and get a safety card, depending on your job.

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

With experience, you could be a road works team supervisor, known as a 'ganger'.

You could do further training to become a highways technician or electrician, designing and installing street lighting, traffic signals and road safety measures. You could also become a highways inspector, checking for road damage and the quality of repair works.

Another option is to move into the wider construction industry or work as a self-employed contractor.