Tramway construction operative

This occupation is found in the Tramway and Light Rail Construction sector.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to prepare and deliver a high standard of technical work relating to the construction and renewal of the Tramway and the Tramway environment.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a team and reports to a site supervisor or team leader. The role may interact with others working on the construction and renewal of the Tramway such as those conducting site surveys, engineers, designers and installing the overhead lines etc. Types of employers range between private companies, local authorities, councils etc.. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for activities relating to the construction and renewal of the Tramway, including, setting up and maintaining a temporary traffic management system including assisting stakeholders with access and deliveries, lifting and moving large and irregular shaped loads, installing and removing temporary works, using a range of hand held tools, equipment and items of plant and being able to carry out site clearance activities such as the removal of waste items and the storage of reusable materials and components. Whilst undertaking these activities, operatives are expected to adhere to strict codes of conduct and safe working practices including wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment, following the correct safe systems and taking action to minimise risk to self and others.

Operatives work in shifts and outdoors often in challenging inner city or town environments. A knowledge of the environment, how pedestrianised and road traffic areas relate to each other and the relationship between the relevant stakeholders is essential as well as a detailed understanding of the effect the works (noise, dust, vibration, traffic control and management systems) can have on the surrounding environment. This includes different types of building such as grade II listed, the public who may be working/shopping/visiting/passing through the area and the businesses that need to be able to operate whist works are being carried out. Presentation and conduct when working in a public facing/urban and open working environment is important and operatives are expected to adhere to organisational policies and requirements and have the skills to be able to deal with questions and enquiries as well as challenging behaviour by others who may be affected, frustrated or disrupted by the work being undertaken. The inner city or urban environment can present many other challenges including, interaction with contractors on other construction projects and a restriction on working space. Being able to manoeuvre large and irregular shaped loads through the confines of the urban environment is a skill apprentices will learn as well as techniques for carrying out activities with minimal noise, dust, vibration etc. Often the use of large plant equipment is not possible and manual techniques are required. The cities and towns in England are often steeped in history and digging and excavating can often uncover a wide range of items, most commonly utilities (live and historic) not shown on plans and specifications. Knowing how to identify, deal and report with these items is an important part of the role.

The level of customer interaction can be high as the tramway construction environment is often what’s known as ‘open working’ which makes this different to other construction activities which usually take place in a closed environment/site. Operatives are working in areas where there are many nearby businesses or houses which have to remain open and accessible and as such members of the general public will be nearby and will be able to see the works being undertaken. Operatives conduct and behaviour is particularly important as they represent not only the individual organisations undertaking the construction and renewals activities but the industry as a whole. The apprenticeship will contain knowledge skills and behaviours to prepare an operative for customer interaction including the skills to deal with questions and be able to de-escalate issues and potential conflict. The ability to manage challenging situations is a regular occurrence.