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Skilled Operative

A Skilled Operative is someone who brings hands-on expertise to construction, civil engineering, or industrial projects — think of them as the backbone of on-site operations. Their role goes beyond basic laboring; they’re trained to carry out more complex tasks safely and efficiently. Here's what they typically do:

  • Operate machinery and tools such as excavators, dumpers, or rollers (with the right certifications).

  • Carry out groundworks like drainage, kerbing, concreting, or ducting.

  • Follow detailed instructions from site supervisors and ensure work meets safety and quality standards.

  • Conduct safety checks on equipment and maintain a tidy, hazard-free work area.

  • Support the team by stepping into different tasks as needed, often across multiple trades.

To qualify, they usually need a CSCS card, and often additional certifications like CPCS for plant machinery or NRSWA for street works. Experience in civil works is a big plus, and many employers look for a solid understanding of health and safety practices.

It’s a role that values reliability, flexibility, and a strong work ethic.

​Belper is a town and civil parish in the local government district of Amber Valley in Derbyshire, England, located about 7 miles (11 km) north of Derby on the River Derwent. As well as Belper itself, the parish also includes the village of Milford and the hamlets of Bargate, Blackbrook and Makeney. As of the 2011 Census, the parish had a population of 21,823. Originally a centre for the nail-making industry since Medieval times, Belper expanded during the early Industrial Revolution to become one of the first mill towns with the establishment of several textile mills; as such, it forms part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

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