Recycled metals worker
Recycled metals workers grade, sort, clean and bale scrap metal for recycling.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a recycled metals worker, you could:
- weigh and record scrap metal collections
- grade and sort metal, by hand or machine
- shred scrap metal into pieces using hydraulic shears and cutters
- use machines to crush the scrap into bales
- operate a forklift truck or crane to stack and load sorted metal
- drive lorries to collect or deliver recycled material
We've identified this as a green job
As a recycled metals worker, you'll remove materials to go for recycling from scrapped vehicles, household appliances and electrical and electronic waste. You'll also dispose of pollutants safely. This can have a positive impact on the environment.
Find out more about green careers
Working environment
You could work at a waste recycling site.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a supervisor or manager of a recycling site.
You could also be self-employed and start your own recycling business.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- knowledge of recycling processes
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- the ability to work well with your hands
- observation and recording skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need a large goods vehicle (LGV) licence if your job involves driving a lorry to collect metal waste.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
You can apply to do a Metal Recycling General Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This takes a minimum of one year to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
More Information
You do not need any particular qualifications to apply for jobs although GCSEs in English and maths can be useful.
Experience in metal working, operating a forklift truck or crane, or order picking on a production line, may be helpful.
Further information
You can find out more about training and working in recycling from the British Metals Recycling Association.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.