As the name suggests, a plant mechanic looks after the machinery found on a construction site, including excavators, cranes, trucks, and more. They need to make sure everything's running properly, and be able to make repairs where necessary.
Plant mechanics are crucial to construction projects, as machinery that isn't working can hold up jobs and lose a company thousands of pounds.
A technical mind is essential, and you should enjoy working with machines. Work can be carried out either in a workshop or on site, depending on the specific requirements.
The main way to embark on a career as a plant mechanic is through an apprenticeship. The average age to begin this is between 16 and 18, and usually requires 4 GCSEs (A-C) / Standard Grades (1-3), including Maths, Technology and Science.
You will need to do a GNVQ/SVQ in vehicle repairs, engineering or garden machinery, and, when you begin training, you are likely to be given tests on technical and mechanical understanding.
Major companies offer 4-year apprenticeship schemes, which include supervised work experience and block or day-release to college.
CITB-ConstructionSkills offers a 2-year integrated Plant Mechanics course where you will work towards NVQ/SVQ Levels 2 and 3.
The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) agrees wage rates annually. Pay rates for apprentices in Scotland are set by SBATC. A good basic wage is available and can be boosted with the incentive schemes that many companies offer.
Employment as a plant mechanic is also a good grounding for progression into supervisory roles, and many Plant Mechanics go on to set up their own business.
