Introduction
Do you enjoy:
- Working outside?
- Doing physical work?
- Being a member of a team?
- Helping to maintain and improve your local area?
If so, being a roadworker could be the job for you. Roadworkers
help to build new roads; carry out improvements on existing roads,
such as road widening and repair potholes and cracks in road
surfaces. They also carry out work on footpaths and parking areas.
Roadworkers may also be known as highway operatives.
Work Environment
Roadworkers work outside in all types of weather. The work is very
physical and requires a lot of walking, bending, lifting and
carrying. The site is usually dirty and dusty, and there may be
strong vapours from hot materials such as tarmac. Protective
clothing includes overalls, hard hats, ear defenders, fluorescent
jackets, boots, gloves and goggles, depending on the job. Working
on highways involves a constant awareness of danger from
traffic. The work involves travel around the local area to
work on different projects.
Daily Activities
Roadworkers tend to work in gangs of two or more, under the
instruction of a foreman or site agent. The work varies from
project to project but includes:
- loading any materials that are required from depot
storage;
- placing warning signs and barriers at the place of work;
- controlling traffic of pedestrians and vehicles close to the
site;
- excavating a carriageway down to the required level, using
mechanical diggers and hand tools, such as shovels and picks;
- laying drains - digging trenches, setting sections of pipe into
place and sealing them together;
- building manholes;
- laying kerbstones in line and fixing them into place;
- making pavements by cutting slabs to size, then laying them on
a sand and cement mix;
- preparing materials such as concrete and tarmac;
- building up the carriageway with layers of materials and using
vibrating and rolling machines to level and smooth them;
- building and repairing retaining walls;
- digging up roads to repair broken pipes;
- erecting road signs and street lamps;
- marking roads with white and yellow lines;
- spreading grit on roads in winter and clearing snow;
- using all types of mechanical plant, including JCBs, lorries,
rollers, drills, diggers;
- general work to keep the site tidy and safe e.g. sweeping up
loose material.
Skills & Interests
Roadworkers need:
- practical ability;
- physical fitness and stamina;
- to work well as part of a team;
- to be able to work without constant supervision;
- good people skills - as they are often working in close
proximity to the public and other workers.
A valid driving licence or HGV licence may be required for some
jobs.
Entry Requirements
There are no set entry requirements. A positive attitude, good
people skills and physical stamina are usually considered more
important than academic qualifications. Some local
authorities offer an induction course for trainees. This enables
people without experience to learn some skills on the job, receive
some formal training and become roadworkers. Training is
usually on the job under the supervision of experienced workers. In
addition, local authorities generally support workers who want to
further their skills by attending college on day release.
NVQs/SVQs in Roadbuilding are available at levels 1 and 2. City and
Guilds and BTEC/SQA qualifications in construction may also be
available.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There are opportunities for roadworkers throughout the
country. As they learn more skills and undergo further
training, roadworkers can progress to become higher graded
roadworkers or specialise, as masons or paviors, for example. They
can then go on to become a team leader, a foreman or a
supervisor.
Further Information & Services
Construction Skills www.citb.co.uk
Highways Term Maintenance Association www.htma.co.uk
Road Workers' Safety Forum www.rowsaf.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.