Construction plant operator

In your day-to-day job you could:

• use 180 and 360 degree excavators
•  move earth with bulldozers and dumper trucks
•  operate a crane, under radio direction from a slinger or signaller
•  level out work areas with compactors
•  operate piling rigs and concrete pumps
•  use forklifts to unload and move building materials around the site
•  change buckets, shovels and other attachments
•  make safety checks on machines

• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of building and construction
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work on your own
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working your way into the role
• applying directly

You could move into construction site supervision, site estimating or work in plant hire and equipment sales.

You might become a supervisor or coordinator which involves choosing the right machinery for jobs and assessing new equipment.