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Fairground worker

Alternative titles for this job include Theme park maintenance technician

Fairground workers operate and maintain rides at theme parks or travelling fairs.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

Variable variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a fairground worker

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

College

You may be able to do a college course to get some of the skills you'll need for this job. Courses include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Level 3 Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a maintenance engineering technician advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Work

You may be able to join a theme park or fairground as part of the ticketing and admissions team or catering services. You could then move into operating and maintaining rides as you get more experience and do training on the job.

Direct Application

You could apply for maintenance jobs with theme parks if you've got experience in mechanical or electrical service and repair work. Employers will prefer you to be 18 or over for insurance purposes.

You may be able to apply at age 16 for seasonal work to operate smaller rides and collect fares, without having the maintenance duties.

What it takes

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with others
  • problem-solving skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • persistence and determination
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

A large goods vehicle (LGV) driving licence may also be useful if you’re working in a travelling fair.

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 fairground worker, you'll:

  • operate and supervise rides
  • make announcements over a PA system
  • do safety checks on the rides before the park opens
  • repair rides and equipment
  • carry out regular maintenance throughout the year
  • set up and dismantle rides and attractions on a travelling fair

Working environment

You could work in a park or at events.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and you may spend nights away from home.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could go into supervisory or general management, especially in larger parks.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Mechanical Apprentice Technician

  • Wage: £12,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Apprentice Steel Fabricator

  • Wage: £200.00 - £280.00 Weekly
  • Location: Dunstable
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

BTEC Level 3 in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical Electronic and Manufacturing)

  • Provider: CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2022
  • Location: Crawley

Mechanical Engineering - Level 3 Triple Diploma

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2022
  • Location: Blackpool
Find courses near you

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