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Construction plant mechanic

Alternative titles for this job include Plant fitter, mobile service engineer

Construction plant mechanics service and repair heavy plant machinery like diggers, forklift trucks and cranes.

Average salary (a year)

£26,000 Starter

to

£44,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 44

You could work

evenings / weekends away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could start by taking a course that will teach you some of the skills you'll need to find a trainee job.

Courses include:

  • heavy vehicle maintenance
  • construction plant or machinery maintenance
  • mechanical engineering

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a company that services and repairs heavy plant machinery. 

Training options include:

  • Construction Equipment Maintenance Mechanic Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Construction Equipment Maintenance Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Lift Truck and Powered Access Vehicle Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These take between 2 and 3 years to complete and are a mix of on-the-job training and study off site.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got experience in mechanical engineering or the service and repair of heavy vehicles, like:

  • construction plant machinery
  • forklift trucks
  • lorries and buses
  • military vehicles
  • agricultural machinery

More Information

Registration

Further information

You'll find more details about how to become a construction plant mechanic from Go Construct.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • problem-solving skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to analyse quality or performance
  • customer service skills
  • observation and recording skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have a full driving licence

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a construction plant mechanic, you could:

  • visit clients for routine work and attend breakdown calls
  • identify problems using tools and digital diagnostic equipment
  • service plant equipment, forklift trucks and heavy machinery
  • inspect engines, gearboxes, electrics and hydraulics
  • dismantle parts to fix faults before reassembling them
  • carry out tests and safety checks before signing off jobs
  • complete records for each job

Working environment

You could work on a construction site or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be dirty, noisy, physically demanding and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a:

  • construction plant technician
  • technical services representative
  • repair workshop supervisor or manager

You could also set up your own service and repair business or train apprentices.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Powered Access Engineer

  • Wage: £14,722.50 a year Annually
  • Location: FOUR ASHES, WOLVERHAMPTON

Apprentice Plant & Tool Mechanic

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: NEWMARKET, SUFFOLK

Courses In England

IMI L3 DIP HEAVY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE & REPAIR PRINCIPLES

  • Provider: TEC PARTNERSHIP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Grimsby

Level 3 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles

  • Provider: NORTHAMPTON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: DAVENTRY

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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