Career Suggestion

Demolition operative

Demolition operatives clear sites ready for use. They dismantle buildings and structures, remove hazardous waste and salvage reusable materials.

Average salary (a year)

£25000.0 to £43000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

40.0 to 44.0 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. You could then apply to a demolition company for a trainee position.

Courses include:

  • construction skills
  • construction operations
  • construction plant operations

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Demolition Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship with a demolition or construction company.

Another option is to do a Groundworker Level 2, or Construction Plant Operative Level 2, Intermediate Apprenticeship. After getting experience on a construction site, you could do further training in demolition.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

You may be able to work as a construction site labourer, tradeperson's assistant or plant operator and do extra demolition training on the job.

Direct Application

You can apply for jobs directly with demolition contractors if you're over 18 and have construction work experience. Some employers may ask for GCSEs or equivalent in maths, English and design and technology.

More Information

Registrations

a Certificate of Competence for Demolition Operatives (CCDO) card is usually required to work on site

Further Information

You can find out more about working in demolition from Go Construct.

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • concentration skills
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

Day-to-day tasks

As a demolition operative, you could:

  • put up guard rails, safety screens and lay dust sheets
  • strip out fittings, remove doors and windows and dismantle roofs
  • use cutting equipment to break up metal beams and girders for removal
  • separate reusable materials from waste
  • prepare structures for demolition with explosives
  • operate plant machinery to demolish buildings and clear sites
  • load rubble and debris into mechanical crushers
  • dispose of hazardous materials, like asbestos, safely

Working environment

You could work on a construction site.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

With further training to become an advanced operative, you could specialise in a particular demolition method, for example the use of explosives or oxy-fuel cutting equipment.

With experience, you could become a site supervisor, safety officer or move into demolition management.

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