About Plant Operator Traineeships
As a Mobile Plant Operator you will operate heavy machinery on a civil construction site on projects that could include subdivisions, bulk earthworks, roadworks, and rail projects.
Plant Operators are also employed in other industries where the skills are transferable, such as the mining and resources sector, building construction, and earthmoving.
The training
To become a Plant Operator, you need to successfully complete a traineeship which results in a Certificate III in Civil Construction – Plant Operator. The traineeship usually takes up to 24 months to complete.
The Plant Operator traineeship program features on the job training under the supervision of a qualified Plant Operator and off the job training at a registered training provider such as a WA TAFE college.
During the training program to become a Plant Operator, you will learn practical skills and underpinning knowledge. A training program will be created for you that will include such competencies as how to:
Plan and organise work
Carry out measurements and calculations
Identify, locate and protect underground services
Read and interpret plans and specifications
Carry out manual excavation
Support plant operations
Spread and compact materials manually
Carry out basic levelling
Communicate in the workplace
Apply risk management processes
Handle resources and infrastructure materials and safely dispose of non toxic materials
Use hand and power tools
Operate small plant and equipment
Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures
Drain and dewater civil construction sites
Conduct civil construction excavator operations
Conduct civil construction grader operations
Conduct roller operations
Conduct erosion and sediment control activities
Load and unload plant
Please note that programs can vary to some degree and this list is an example only.
