Road construction operator (Machinist wegenbouw)
Information on this skill...
A road construction operator works with road construction machines within civil engineering. As a road construction operator, you generally work with different types of road construction machines, depending on the type of work. These road construction machines are used to transport various materials, such as sand, asphalt and stones. In addition, road construction machines can be used to process materials, as is the case with asphalt work. In short, we can best describe the work of a road construction operator as rolling and applying pavements to the ground by using various road construction machines. The profession of road construction operator should also be seen as fairly general because within road construction many different machines are used for different activities. For example, a road construction operator may work with a rolling machine, a mobile crane or with an asphalt machine. By using road construction machines, the work of road builders or pavers becomes much easier and lighter. Working in road construction is fairly heavy and is made as light as possible for the employees by means of road construction machines, such as mobile cranes and shovels. For example, a road builder and paver does not have to lug around pavers all the time, but the operator puts the work materials as favorably as possible. A road construction operator often works for a civil contractor, who has the assignment to build or renew a road. Usually, many materials have to be supplied and removed in order to be able to carry out this type of work. For this type of work, different road construction machines and other types of vehicles will be used. As a road construction operator, you have a responsible job in which safety has an important role.
A road construction operator is therefore employed within road construction, which can relate to different companies. It is not the case that all road builders are specialized in all forms of road construction. For example, the construction and/or renewal of highways by means of asphalt cannot simply be compared to the construction of clinker roads because other techniques and machines are needed for this. In addition, it is true that not all road manufacturers work full-time as a machinist. It is conceivable that a road construction operator can also be regarded as a paver and earthworker. It is also conceivable that a road construction operator can be regarded as an earthmoving driver, depending on the type of work. It is generally not the case that a road construction operator can be classified as a truck driver because trucks cannot be seen as road construction machines. Trucks belong to the category of vehicles. Road builders do make a lot of use of trucks.
BULLDOZER ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Bulldozers are common in road construction because bulldozers are ideal machines for earthmoving. Bulldozers are very suitable for moving large amounts of sand and for flattening terrains. Bulldozers are powerful ground pushers, which are equipped with tracks. If a road construction operator works on a bulldozer, the designation 'earthmoving engineer' may also apply. A disadvantage of bulldozers is that bulldozers are less flexible than shovels in terms of work. Bulldozers are usually only used when it comes to large work, in which a lot of soil has to be moved. Think, for example, of the construction of new highways.
SHOVEL ROAD CONSTRUCTION
A shovel is almost the same as a bulldozer, with the important difference that the shovel has a movable blade that also allows the machine to lift material for transport. Unlike a bulldozer, the shovel often has pneumatic tires. Because the shovel has pneumatic tires, the chance of damage to the pavement is a lot smaller. A big advantage of shovels is that the shovel can be used in a wide way for various earthworks and other types of work. For example, a shovel can also be used for transporting various work materials. Because the shovel can be used in a wide way, shovels are not only used in road construction. Consider, for example, contractors who work for farmers.
CONSTRUCTION AND RENEWAL OF INFRASTRUCTURE
When constructing or renewing infrastructure, machines such as shovels, cranes and other machines are now indispensable for employees. Not only can an assignment be carried out much faster, but nowadays, the work has also become a lot lighter for the workers. The development in road construction is still not standing still, and people are always looking for new techniques that make the work easier. Nowadays, there are already machines that can automatically flatten the ground, and also automatically lay down the stones without having to do this by a paver. As a road engineer, it is very important to be able to work safely with the machines because otherwise accidents can happen quickly during work. Transporting heavy loads where many people are working can therefore be dangerous. In addition to being able to work safely with the machines, the drivers also receive lessons during their training in maintaining the machines and recognizing defects. When digging in the ground, it is also important that the operator pays close attention because it often happens that cables or pipes lie differently in the ground than indicated, or are not known to the contractor at all. With a heavy machine, it is very easy to break a cable or tube with all the consequences that entails.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION OPERATOR:
TRAINING COURSES FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION OPERATOR
If you aspire to a career as a road construction operator, it is best to opt for MBO training all-round craftsman ground, road and hydraulic engineering at level three. The MBO training all-round craftsman in civil engineering will generally take two to three years. In most cases, a student road operator will follow a practice-oriented training, in which you will work four days a week and take theory lessons at school one day a week. As described earlier, the profession of road engineer must be seen as fairly general because as a road construction driver, various specializations are also possible. Working on mobile cranes, bulldozers and shovels cannot simply be compared with each other. During the training to become a road engineer, you will generally work independently a lot, but you will be under the guidance of an experienced colleague, who can be regarded as a teacher. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A ROAD CONSTRUCTION OPERATOR CAN BE EMPLOYED
A road construction operator generally works for contractors within ground, water and road construction. This may relate, for example, to road builders or to classic paving companies. As described earlier, the profession of road engineer in practice occurs in different ways. It is not the case that all drivers within road construction can be regarded as full-time drivers. It is therefore perfectly conceivable that a driver is also responsible for other activities.
COMPETENCES ROAD CONSTRUCTION OPERATOR
The most important competence of a road construction operator is general safety because road construction machines can be potentially dangerous machines. In addition, damage to road construction machines due to accidents must be prevented because road construction machines are generally expensive machines. In other words, a road construction operator must have a professional working posture. In addition, a road construction operator must be regarded as an all-round technician and mechanic because the maintenance of road construction machines can be one of the responsibilities. Another important competence is communication because as a road construction operator you often have to deal with various colleagues. Generally important words for a road construction operator are passion, craftsmanship, energy, motivation, independence, cooperation, perseverance, performance, planning and organizing. If a road construction operator can also be regarded as an all-round road builder within civil engineering, there may be additional competences.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A ROAD CONSTRUCTION OPERATOR
The labour market perspective of a road construction operator is generally good if you have the right training. In addition, as a road construction operator you can work for various companies, so obtaining work is in most cases no problem at all. However, the profession of road engineer does occur in practice in different ways. It is conceivable that you are also responsible for other activities within certain companies. In other words, it can also be important that you have other knowledge and / or training. The career opportunities of a road construction operator are generally limited. However, it is conceivable that a road construction operator works as a temporary assistant executor or as a foreman. This can differ per assignment and type of employer.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY ROAD CONSTRUCTION OPERATOR
As a road engineer, depending on your age and experience in paid employment, you will earn between 2000 and 2800 euros gross per month. A road builder who regularly works in the evening or weekend will usually earn more due to the irregular working hours. As an independent entrepreneur, we cannot give an estimate because the profession is not common as an independent entrepreneur.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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