Demolition operative
Demolition operatives clear sites ready for use. They dismantle buildings and structures, remove hazardous waste and salvage reusable materials.
What you'll do
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.
Career path and progression
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.
What it takes
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 balance, co-ordination and endurance
- 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 may need a driving licence for some jobs.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
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.
More Information
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
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.
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.
Registration
- 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.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.