Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Construction Plant Mechanic- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Working Life
Construction plant operators prepare building sites by excavating, moving, placing and shaping soil or other materials. A variety of plant is used, including earth scrapers, dump trucks, motorised diggers, excavators, rough terrain forklifts and mobile or tower cranes. Some of the larger types of plant are only likely to be found on major building projects such as tunnels, bridges or new motorways.
Most operators tend to specialise in one type of plant. It is important to note that each piece of equipment requires a different skill.
Plant operators also carry out simple maintenance and servicing of plant equipment. They report major faults to specialist maintenance staff.
Construction plant operators wear protective clothing, such as ear protectors, gloves, helmets and safety boots.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Learn and follow safety regulations.
- Take actions to avoid potential hasards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
- Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldosers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
- Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
- Align machines, cutterheads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.
- Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.
- Signal operators to guide movement of tractor-drawn machines.
- Repair and maintain equipment, making emergency adjustments or assisting with major repairs as necessary.
- Load and move dirt, rocks, equipment, or other materials, using trucks, crawler tractors, power cranes, shovels, graders, or related equipment.
- Drive and maneuver equipment equipped with blades in successive passes over working areas to remove topsoil, vegetation, or rocks or to distribute and level earth or terrain.
Further Information
- Construction Plant Mechanic- from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Construction Plant Operator- from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Construction Plant Mechanic
As a construction plant operator you must be alert and safety conscious as you are operating powerful and dangerous plant equipment.
For some duties you need a good head for heights and the ability to work well in a team. A practical approach and some mechanical skills are useful when servicing and maintaining equipment.
Working on a building site can be physically demanding, involving lifting and carrying, so you need to be physically fit.
You will need a full driving licence. Almost all of the work is outdoors.
Interests - Construction Plant Mechanic
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry / Progression - Construction Plant Mechanic
The official entry route for a Mechanic / Automotive Technician is through undertaking an apprenticeship.
There are many pathways to develop skills & qualifications towards a career as a mechanic Automotive Technology.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: engineering, motor vehicle maintenance, automotive tech.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: engineering, motor vehicle maintenance, automotive tech.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Mechanic, Automotive Technician, HGV Mechanic Apprenticeship.
Click here to find information on the Heavy Vehicle Mechanic apprenticeship
Search for Apprenticeships
Pay & Salary - Construction Plant Mechanic
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €55k
Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and experience
Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Morgan Mckinley/ Talent
Last Updated: March, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Construction Plant Mechanic
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Laboratory technicians; Electrical and electronic technicians; Engineering technicians Quality assurance; technicians Planning, process and production; technicians Science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022, by approximately 3,000 persons, but remained above 2017 levels, resulting in a positive, but below average, annual average growth rate for the five-year period. Employment for this occupation was primarily in industry (accounting for a 60% share of employment). Employment permits issued were across a variety of technician roles (e.g. process, manufacturing, laboratory). The Recruitment Agency Survey identified vacancies for maintenance technicians in manufacturing with electrical/mechanical skills as difficult-to-fill.
Employers (Skills for Growth) experienced difficulties in filling a range of engineering technician roles, including aircraft technicians and manufacturing technicians, particularly for those with digital skills and knowledge of procedures/processes. There was a 3% increase in the number of online job adverts in 2022, driven by increases in electrical/electronic technicians and, to a lesser extent, laboratory technicians.
New apprenticeship registrations for a number of industry related technicians (including lab analysts) have risen strongly since the first of these programmes were introduced in 2017; by 2022 there were 314 new registrations across a range of apprenticeships (lab analyst, manufacturing technology, OEM engineer etc.) up from approximately 100 in 2017. Although demand seems to be lessening for these roles, issues with attracting suitable candidates remain for maintenance and laboratory technicians in particular, at least in the short-term.
Useful Contacts - Construction Plant Mechanic
-
Engineers Ireland
- 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
- (01) 665 1300
- Click Here
-
Society of the Irish Motor Industry
-
Construction Industry Federation
