Construction Plant Operative

On a construction plant operative apprenticeship course, you’ll help check, prepare and operate several construction machines used in the construction sector.

This apprenticeship covers four common types of construction equipment: a 360-degree excavator, a dumper truck, a forklift, and a ride-on roller.

You might work up to become a lead operator, supervisor, site or plant manager, or even establish your own contracting company. You will learn how to examine, repair, and clean equipment, as well as how to operate them.

This occupation requires the operator to travel to and from construction and civil engineering sites daily or weekly.

You might work on infrastructure projects such as a new highway or high-speed rail line, allowing you to participate in high-profile national initiatives.

You will work exclusively outside in all seasons and weathers and at various times, including overnight, weekend, and off-hours, to complete projects with specified completion dates such as road and rail maintenance.

What you’ll learn

On a construction plant operative apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

• Select and implement the tools, lubricants, and equipment required for operator-level maintenance, inspections, servicing, and configuration.
• Identify and use information from various sources to ensure that the machine is ready for the task and that the job is accomplished.
• Determine and get resources, equipment, and consumables for operational requirements.
• Travel the machine across a range of terrain and surfaces, as well as in several operational settings and situations, such as on inclines and on and off a transporter, if appropriate.
• Plan, set up, and configure the machine to do the required job activity.
• Determine, implement, and maintain efficient communication with colleagues, support staff, and supervisors to do the task safely and successfully.
• Conduct checks (both internally and with others) to verify that the work is done according to the job requirements and deadlines.
• Assist with installing, setting, and positioning plant to fulfil specific work duties.
• Work according to health, safety, welfare, and environmental requirements; analyse the working environment and activity using static and dynamic risk assessments and method statements; and report on potentially hazardous situations per organisational procedures.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• Depending on the employer, but likely GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience for an intermediate apprenticeship.
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment comprises three distinct assessment methods: 

• Practical Assessment 
• Professional Discussion 
• Technical Theory Test 

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 2 Construction Plant Operative Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.