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- Grade, sort, clean and bale scrap metal for recycling
- You'll need the ability to complete tasks on your own, and confidence in operating machinery
- You could become a supervisor or manager
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Weighing and recording metal collections
- Grading and sorting metal, by hand or machine
- Shredding scrap metal into pieces using hydraulic shears and cutters
- Cleaning scrap metal
- Using machines to crush the scrap into bales
- Operating lift trucks or cranes to stack or load sorted metal
- Driving lorries to collect or deliver recycled metal
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
This is a physically active role, so you'll need a reasonable level of fitness. You'll work outdoors in all types of weather and your working conditions can be dirty and noisy. You'll often need to wear protective gear, like safety boots, goggles, a helmet and gloves.
You'll need
This role requires the ability to complete tasks on your own, and confidence in operating machinery.
There are no set entry requirements, but you'll need a large goods vehicle (LGV) licence if your job involves driving a lorry to collect metal waste.
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 crane or forklift truck, or order picking on a production line may give you an advantage.
You can also start by doing a metal recycling operative intermediate apprenticeship.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could become a supervisor or manager. You could also become self-employed and start your own business.