A road worker, or highways operative, is responsible for building and repairing roads in rural areas, towns and cities as well as maintaining dual carriageways and motorways around the country.
Who can I work for?
Work is available throughout the country with private civil engineering companies and public bodies such as local councils. Road workers can be self-employed, working on a contract basis.
Where and when can I work?
The usual working week is 37 hours but many road workers work shifts, as a lot of jobs are on the weekend or at night. You will be working outside for the majority of the time, and work takes places whatever the weather!
What can I earn?
Salaries start at around £12,000 and go up to £17,000.
What are the benefits?
Providing you are fit enough, you can become a road worker at any age. Road workers often increase their pay significantly with overtime and shift work. There are also extra payments for machine operators.
Are there chances of promotion?
Most road workers start as construction operatives and train on-the-job. With experience and a dedicated NVQ Level 3, you could progress to a supervisory position.
What will I be responsible for?
Road building, widening and re-surfacing, repairing potholes and cracks, laying pavements and kerbs, maintaining roadside verges and central reservations, painting road markings, putting up crash barriers, road signs, traffic lights and street lamps, digging access trenches for cable and pipe laying, gritting roads and clearing snow in winter.
Do I need any experience?
There are no set entry requirements to work as a highways operative, however, good GCSEs including English, maths and science are preferable. You can then go on to study for an NVQ in a relevant subject area.
What attributes are needed?
It is a physically demanding job so a high level of personal fitness is required. You need to be practical and hands-on, plus have a lot of common sense and road safety, as you will often be working alongside fast-moving vehicles.