Diamond drilling operatives have one of the most highly-skilled and specialist construction jobs – cutting through the toughest materials on a building site.
Salaries depend on location, employer and the amount of overtime worked. Self-employed diamond drilling operatives set their own pay rates.
There are no set qualifications that diamond drilling and sawing operatives need, but it helps to have grades at A*-C in maths and English or equivalents such as the Welsh Baccalaureate or Scottish Nationals 4/5.
An NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Drilling and Sawing can be achieved by completing the Drilling and Sawing Apprenticeship, a formal two-year training programme.
If you have a minimum of five years’ experience you can take the Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA). This combines the key parts of the SVQ/NVQ into one practical assessment, together with work-based evidence and employer endorsement. Alternatively you can do On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT).
Ian Reilly is a diamond drilling and saw operative with RT Site Services.
Career trends and forecasts
55,480
total staff needed
The UK construction industry will need a total of 55,480 specialist building operative roles (which includes diamond drilling operatives) between 2017 - 2021, according to the latest Construction Skills Network research (LMI). The majority of the demand for these construction jobs in the UK will be in East of England and East Midlands.
Explore the progression opportunities below
Check out the latest Diamond Drilling Operative vacancies:
As these are external websites, the number of job vacancies related to your preferred job role may vary.
Check daily to see new opportunities as they are posted!
For information on job roles in Scotland please visit the Skills Development Scotland website My World of Work.
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