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.
Ripley is a market and industrial town as well as a civil parish in the Amber Valley district of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire, England. It is located to the north-northeast of Derby, northwest of Heanor, southwest of Alfreton and northeast of Belper. The town forms a continuous urban area with Heanor, Eastwood and Ilkeston as part of the wider Nottingham Urban Area.