Piling operative

  1. Home
  2. Learn about construction
  3. Find the role for you
  4. Career Explorer
  5. Piling operative

Piling operative

Piling operatives drive columns of wood, steel or concrete into the ground to provide support for structures such as buildings, bridges and piers.

The Role

  • Driven piling - where a heavy steel tube is driven to the right depth, filled with concrete and then removed
  • Another method is where a fully reinforced, pre-cast concrete pile driven into the ground
  • Rotary bore piling - using a temporary casing and auger to drill to the necessary depth. A reinforcement cage is then installed and concrete is poured into the hole before the casing is withdrawn 
  • Minipiles - installed using similar methods and can be made up of small-diameter piles or located where there space is limited
  • Checking over equipment before it’s used, analysing information and using hoisting equipment to position piling leads and hammers
  • Operates machinery (either directly or via control mechanisms) and keeping a close eye on all equipment to identify problems and keep them maintained or repaired
  • Keeping colleagues and supervisors up to date on the work

Salary

  • Trained with experience piling operatives can earn in the region of £20,000 - £28,000
  • Senior piling operatives can earn in the region of £28,000 - £40,000

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility and the amount of overtime worked.  Self-employed piling operatives set their own pay rates.

Qualifications and Training

There are no set qualifications to be a piling operative but you must be at least 18 years old.

It is useful to have Standard Grades/National 4 or 5s, GCSE (grades at A*-C or equivalent) in maths and English because this helps with calculations on the job. You can do a SVQ/NVQ Level 2 in piling, which is a two-year training programme to learn skills such as driven or bored piling. 

A Specialist Apprenticeship Programme (Piling Operative) is also available.

If you have at least five years’ experience and don’t need more training, you can take the Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA). This involves a practical assessment, work-based evidence and employer endorsement – all completed within a specified time. Alternatively you can do On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT).

Career trends and forecasts

2460

additional staff needed

According to the latest Construction Skills Network research, the UK construction industry will need an additional 2460 Plant Operatives (which includes Piling Operatives) every year for the period 2017 - 2021.  The highest demand for these construction jobs in the UK will be in Yorkshire & Humber and Northern Ireland, followed by Greater London, Wales and Scotland

Next Steps

Vacancies

Check out the latest Piling 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!

Find out more

For information on job roles in Scotland please visit the Skills Development Scotland website My World of Work.

Take our Personality Quiz to find out which role is right for you.

Thanks for visiting Go Construct!

Do you feel more inspired about working in construction?

Very Not At All

Congratulations!

You’re one step closer to a career in construction

Close
Web design by S8080