Construction plant mechanic
Construction plant mechanics make sure that heavy plant machinery like diggers and dumper trucks is well maintained and working safely.
Salary Range: £12,000 to £30,000
How to become a construction plant mechanic
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
College
You could start by taking a course that will give you some of the skills needed for a trainee job after you finish. Courses include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance
- Level 2 Diploma in Construction Plant or Machinery Maintenance
- Level 3 Diploma in Plant Maintenance
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
More information
Apprenticeship
You can get into this job through an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in construction civil engineering: plant maintenance.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More information
More information
Registration
- you’ll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site
Career tips
You may have an advantage when looking for work if you have experience or qualifications in large goods vehicle mechanics or mechanical and electrical engineering maintenance.
Further information
You’ll find more on working with plant machinery from Go Construct.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to use your initiative
- problem-solving skills
- the ability to repair machines or systems
- the ability to work well with your hands
- physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
- practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and requirements
You’ll need to:
- have a full driving licence
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- servicing and repairing plant machinery
- regularly inspecting engines, gearboxes and hydraulics
- identifying faults and repairing or replacing faulty parts
- reassembling parts and testing them
- arranging for machinery to be moved to the repair workshop
- carrying out routine servicing of plant and equipment
- using hand and power tools and specialist equipment
Working environment
You could work on a construction site.
Your working environment may be noisy, physically demanding, at height and you may spend nights away from home.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could progress to construction plant technician, technical service representative, site supervisor or site manager.
You could also set up your own business.