what is a general operative?

A general operative does supportive tasks on construction sites and in warehouses and factories. That means your duties will vary depending on your work setting. For instance, you can assist in constructing roads or buildings by transporting materials to the construction area. You also prepare a construction site by putting up ladders and scaffolding or building a fence around the construction area to prevent accidents. Your job as a general operative could include simple duties that don't require specialised skills or complex tasks that need extensive training. For instance, you cannot operate machinery and heavy equipment without sufficient training.

General operatives sometimes assist specialised workers like plumbers or painters. You may also perform dangerous tasks like removing chemicals or asbestos from buildings. In discharging your duties, you work with various tools like forklifts, power drills, grinders and blowtorches.

Apart from the manual dexterity necessary to lift items and work in diverse environments, a general operative requires soft skills. It is important to follow instructions and be attentive to details. Teamworking skills also help you collaborate with others on various tasks.

Would working as a general operative suit your interest in manual work? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a general operative role.

 

general operative jobs
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average salary of a general operative

According to ONS, a general operative takes home a median salary of £22,548 per year. The compensation package fluctuates based on experience and project complexity. When you perform basic tasks that don't require prior training, you receive a salary of £20,961 annually. Experienced general operatives often perform complex tasks, increasing their earnings to over £29,978 yearly.

what factors affect the salary of a general operative?

Your compensation package as a general operative depends on your skills and experience. You have minimal transferable skills in an entry-level position and can't negotiate higher pay. However, your earnings increase significantly after working for a few years in the role. Your expertise in working on specific tasks machines improves your salary prospects. While you don't need formal training, completing an apprenticeship or a college course increases your salary since you take up more tasks or supervise teams.

Industries like construction and manufacturing pay more due to the complexity of the tasks and the additional experience required. While warehouse work may involve moving products or loading and offloading shipments, you are likely to earn more if you know how to operate the machinery and heavy equipment. Working for large companies also increases your salary prospects since they have greater resources.

man standing in bus
man standing in bus
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types of general operatives

Some of the specialisations of general operatives include:

  • general construction operative: as a general construction operative, you work on construction sites alongside skilled construction workers. You assist with manual work, such as preparing the foundations. When construction work commences, you mix and pour concrete, move construction materials and operate machinery.
  • general warehouse operative: a general operative performs diverse manual tasks in a warehouse environment. Your job is to load and offload shipping trucks. You also stock the shelves and move products to their designated locations. Sometimes, you operate the machinery used to lift heavy goods.
  • general manufacturing operative: as a general manufacturing operative, you work in factories. Your duties may involve feeding raw materials to machines and operating heavy equipment. You also clean the work site after production and maintain the machines and other equipment.
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working as a general operative

If you enjoy collaborating with skilled tradespeople and don't mind manual work, you will love working as a general operative. Read on to learn general operative's duties, career outlook and work environments.

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education and skills

You don't require educational qualifications to be a general operative. Explore the following routes to join the career:

  • college course: most employers don't demand educational qualifications to join the role. However, you would benefit from completing GCSEs in English and mathematics. Consider pursuing an NVQ Level 1 Certificate in construction skills or a Level 2 qualification in construction operations. The courses help you improve your job prospects and abilities.
  • apprenticeship: you can find intermediate apprenticeship programmes for construction or warehouse operatives. You work at least 30 hours weekly as an apprentice and attend training.
  • work experience: while work experience is not mandatory, having some basic skills in your area of interest improves your job prospects. You could gain experience working with a company during school holidays or helping a relative or friend with DIY projects.

skills and competencies

Some of the skills that a general operative requires include:

  • driving: you are likely to operate machinery or drive trucks at work. Most employers require a driver's licence to drive trucks around the construction site or operate forklifts. Having advanced driving skills makes it easy to operate heavy equipment and machinery.
  • fitness: most of your duties are manual. In warehouses and construction sites, you carry heavy materials. You also offload or load delivery trucks. Being physically fit helps you complete your duties efficiently. While physical fitness isn't a strict requirement, being strong helps you lift heavy items.
  • attention to detail: as a general operative, you are expected to follow strict guidelines. For instance, adhering to the tradespeople's instructions on construction sites is important to ensure the projects meet clients' requirements. Attentiveness to detail also helps you avoid accidents and safety issues that arise.
  • data entry skills: while most of your duties involve manual work, you keep records of the team's activities. You document each step of the manufacturing or construction process and ensure your team understand the tasks that a project still requires. Data entry skills help you keep accurate schedules and track every project stage.
man pulling trolley in an industrial setting
man pulling trolley in an industrial setting
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FAQs

FAQs about working as a general operative

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