While the plant hire industry faces challenges such as rising equipment costs, staff shortages and market saturation, it is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade. There are great opportunities within the plant hire industry to work with machinery and enjoy a bustling outdoor work environment. Whether it’s the construction or infrastructure sector, plant hire operators have the chance to be part of something special as they create projects that’ll last forever.
Becoming successful as a plant hire operator requires sufficient research, training and qualification to allow for the best understanding of the industry and how to properly work every piece of equipment. From roller to dumper to telehandler hire, every machine needs the right type of training in order to qualify to use them and become experts in the field.
This guide will explore the plant hire operator profession and how to become successful within the industry. We will run you through the required qualifications and training you will need to undergo to be an operator of a high level.
Plant Hire Operator Requirements
Research the Field
Researching the plant hire industry is the first requirement to becoming a plant hire operator, as you need to gather a strong understanding of each type of machinery that you are going to handle and how to be safe while using it. You should learn everything there is to know about operation protocols regarding each machinery, as well as understand the different large-scale construction projects they are used for. This will help you with becoming an all-around professional in the plant hire industry.
Having a deep understanding of the terminology and industry trends will also be beneficial to becoming a plant hire operator, as it will help you establish a strong baseline of knowledge that will make you better equipped for plant hire usage at the beginning of your career.
Achieve Qualifications
You will typically need to achieve specific qualifications and certifications before becoming a plant hire operator for working any piece of machinery, including forklifts. Each country will be different as to what requirements need to be met to begin operating machinery, so you need to do research into your country’s necessary qualifications. Many businesses offer training programs to help you achieve the right certifications, as well as schools, colleges and universities that also offer this.
To give you the best chance of becoming a plant hire operator in England, you could complete the following:
- Level 2 NVQ in Construction Plant Operations
- Level 2 Construction Plant Operative Apprenticeship
Scotland and Wales have different requirements even though they are also part of the UK, which shows how important it is that you search for what qualifications you need in your country before starting a course.
Enroll in Training Courses
Achieving the required qualifications for plant hire won’t be enough to become successful in the industry, as you will have to undergo further training to operate the machinery optimally. You can enhance your skill set and increase your employability by enrolling in courses that offer comprehensive training tailored to helping young professionals become well-versed in plant hire machinery operation.
These training courses don’t just teach aspiring plant hire operators to handle the machinery but also provide better knowledge of safety protocols, maintenance and troubleshooting. This will help trainees become all-rounders within the industry, which will significantly increase their employability.
Gain Experience
Gaining knowledge through research, qualifications and training is essential to becoming a successful plant hire operator but if you want to advance further in the field and become the best operator possible, you will need to gain hands-on experience. You can seek opportunities that allow you to gain more experience in plant hire operation, such as apprenticeships or assistant programs that allow you to shadow existing professionals who can help you with your plant hire career.
Learning the day-to-day operations and how to get used to the schedule are things that theoretical knowledge can’t teach as you need to learn these while on the job. Many businesses offer aspiring operators an invaluable chance to learn from seasoned professionals. This can lead to you being hired by the business that is providing you with this opportunity.
Build a Professional Network
Once you have secured a permanent position and have gained a strong level of hands-on experience within the machine operation industry, you can start to build a professional network. Attending events, seminars and trade shows that are about the industry can help you connect to other professionals who work within the industry, so you can build a link with individuals to help further enhance your career.
You will gain better access to job opportunities, mentorship schemes and valuable insight. All of these can enhance your skills and knowledge so that you can become the best plant hire operator that you possibly can be.