A Beginner’s Guide To Becoming A Plant Operator

Thinking of a career in civil construction? One way to get into the industry is by becoming a mobile plant operator.

In this beginner’s guide, you’ll discover what it’s like to be a plant operator, what kind of plant operator courses are available, and how to do civil plant operator training.

What is a plant operator?

Plant operation is an important job in the civil construction industry. In this role you’d operate heavy machinery and earthmoving equipment to prepare land for development.

Civil construction plant operators usually work on infrastructure like roads, tunnels and bridges, but mobile plant operators also work in mining.

As a mobile plant operator in the civil construction industry, you would operate or drive plants such as:

• Forklifts
• Bulldozers
• Excavators
• Loaders
• Graders
• Scrapers
• Rollers
• Backhoes

Aside from operating plants you would also be in charge of maintaining plants, doing regular check ups, cleaning and lubricating.

You’d also replace machinery, do minor repairs, and make sure the plants are working efficiently..

Traffic management is also an important part of the plant operator job, as you and your team may need to direct traffic around the construction site.

Plant operator courses

So how do you become a plant operator? Well, just like other skilled trade, you need to do training at building school.

The RII30820 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations teaches you how to operate the most common mobile plants  used in the civil construction industry.

The Certificate 3 in Civil Construction Plant Operations is the fastest and best way to learn how to be a plant operator and to prove your skills when you apply for jobs.

In the cert 3, you will cover core topics like how to use hand and power tools, how to operate small plant and equipment, and how to work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures.

You’ll also complete units on reading and interpreting plans and specifications, carrying out manual excavations, and spreading and compacting materials manually.

You’ll also round out your learning with classes on how to carry out basic levelling, how to handle resources and infrastructure materials, and how to safely dispose of non toxic materials, and more.

Civil plant operator training

If your dream is to work in civil construction as a plant operator then you’re going to need solid training in your profession.

The Cert 3 in Civil Construction Plant Operations is the best civil plant operator training out there, because it’s delivered by registered training providers that are recognised by governments across Australia.

Aside from being the go-to course for plant operator careers, the Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations is delivered by civil construction experts who have many years of experience working as plant operators.

When you study with a reliable and well-known school like  Builders Academy Australia, you can be sure you’re getting the  highest quality training that exists for the role of plant operator.

Plant operator licensing

Another reason to do a formal qualification and training via the Cert III in Civil Construction Plant Operations is that you will discover which machines you are going to be working with and what licences you will need.

In Victoria, plant operator licensing is done by Vic Roads and when you study plant operations with us, our trainers will guide you in getting the right licences.

Free plant operator courses

Just like any construction trade, the job of civil plant operator is vital to building our societies and our futures.

This career will be essential for many years to come, making it a great choice for job security.

At the moment, Australia has a skills shortage in the construction industry, including a shortage of skilled mobile plant operators.

This has prompted the Victorian and Federal governments to team up to cover the costs of studying plant operations.

If you are an eligible young person or career changer, you could be eligible to do your Cert III in Civil Construction Plant Operations for free as part of the free TAFE program.

The fact that this course is being offered for free just shows how badly mobile plant operators are needed in Australia today and in the future.

Once you’ve completed your cert 3 you’ll then be qualified to begin a plant operator traineeship in Victoria or anywhere across the country.

There has never been a better time to begin your studies as a plant operator while construction courses are being offered for free.

Considering doing a Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations (RII30820)? Find out if you’re eligible to study for free by speaking to a course advisor on 1300 LEGEND or you can request a callback today.