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
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.
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.
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.
-
duties and responsibilities
Some of the specific tasks of a general operative include:
- operating machines: regardless of the industry you work in, you operate machines and heavy equipment. You use cranes, forklifts and heavy machines to lift and move heavy items around the work site or warehouse.
- performing repairs: as a general operative, you are responsible for cleaning and maintaining heavy equipment and machinery. You check if the vehicles can withstand heavy loads and inspect the machines before production begins. You also perform any necessary repairs.
- cleaning the work site: as a general operative, you keep the job site clean to minimise accidents. You clear out excess construction materials and remove dangerous chemicals from the site. In warehouse and manufacturing settings, you clear the work floors to reduce the chances of employees slipping or tripping.
- following safety precautions: as a general operative, you improve the safety of work sites by clearing workflows. It is important to follow safety precautions to avoid injuries and accidents.
-
work environment
As a general operative, you work in diverse work settings. In construction, you are likely to work in all weather conditions and be exposed to dust and mud. If you work in manufacturing and warehouses, the work environment is climate-controlled, and you spend most of the day indoors. You wear protective clothing to prevent injuries in most general operative roles. The role involves travelling from one work site to another. Since you perform most of the duties in person, you cannot work from home.
-
who are your colleagues?
As a general operative, you work alongside various tradespeople. Some of your colleagues might include groundworkers, painters and plumbers. You may also work with warehouse workers and inventory specialists, as well as other specialists that could include factory supervisors, site managers and engineers.
-
work schedule
A general operative usually works full-time or part-time schedules depending on the project. A full-time general operative works up to 40 hours weekly, but their work day starts early. Sometimes, you work evenings and weekends to meet project deadlines. In manufacturing companies that operate 24/7, you work shifts, sometimes at night. The job is hands-on, so remote working is impossible
-
job outlook
Becoming a general operative is an entry-level role that allows you to explore various trades in your industry of interest. For instance, you can explore trades in construction to become a groundworker, painter, plumber or carpenter. General operatives in the warehouse industry can progress to inventory and retail management roles.
-
advantages of finding a general operative job through randstad
Finding your general operative job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a general operative is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
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.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a general operative
-
what does a general operative do?
As a general operative, you perform various tasks depending on your industry. You assist skilled tradespeople with their duties. For instance, in construction, you put up ladders, fences and safety signs to mark the construction area. In a warehouse, you assist with moving goods around the storage facility. You also clean and maintain equipment. Want to learn more about working as a general operative? Then check out this article.
-
can you become a general operative without experience?
General operative is an entry-level position that doesn't require any experience. Your job is to follow the instructions from skilled tradespeople and supervisors. Some employers offer on-the-job training to help you learn how the equipment operates and how to perform maintenance tasks. Want to learn more about working as a general operative? Then check out this article.
-
do you need a formal education to become a general operative?
You don't require formal education or qualifications to work as a general operative. Most employers hire anyone with a couple of GCSEs and provide on-the-job training. You can find apprenticeship programmes or certificate courses to improve your expertise and progress in your career. Want to learn more about working as a general operative? Then check out this article.
-
is general operative a good career?
General operative is a good entry-level role that allows you to develop new skills in your area of interest. For instance, you can work in construction as a general operative to find out if it is the perfect fit. You also have exciting opportunities for career progression in diverse industries. Want to learn more about working as a general operative? Then check out this article.
-
how much do you earn as a general operative?
As a general operative, your earnings range from £20,961 to £29,978 per year, depending on your experience. The hands-on skills you bring to the role can improve your earnings as a general operative. Want to learn more about working as a general operative? Then check out this article.
-
how do I apply for a general operative vacancy?
Applying for a general operative job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our general operative job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
