1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Recycled metals worker

Recycled metals worker

Alternative titles for this job include

Recycled metals workers grade, sort, clean and bale scrap metal for recycling.

Average salary (a year)

£13,500 Starter

to

£25,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

41 to 43 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a recycled metals worker

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

Apprenticeship

You can start by doing a metal recycling operative intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You do not need any particular qualifications to apply for jobs although GCSEs in English and maths can be useful.

Experience in metal working, operating a crane or forklift truck, or order picking on a production line may give you an advantage.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about training to work in recycling from the:

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 operate and control equipment
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • knowledge of recycling processes
  • 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 a large goods vehicle (LGV) licence if your job involves driving a lorry to collect metal waste.

What you’ll do

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You could:

  • weigh and record metal collections
  • grade and sort metal, by hand or machine
  • shred scrap metal into pieces using hydraulic shears and cutters
  • clean scrap metal
  • use machines to crush the scrap into bales
  • operate lift trucks or cranes to stack or load sorted metal
  • drive lorries to collect or deliver recycled metal

Working environment

You could work at a waste recycling site.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could become a shift supervisor or manager after getting experience.

You could also become self-employed and start your own recycling business.

You could do a metal recycling technical manager higher apprenticeship.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a recycled metals worker right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

GCSE Maths

  • Provider: SOUTH THAMES COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 29 September 2023
  • Location: MORDEN

GCSE Maths and English

  • Provider: SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
  • Start date: 13 September 2023
  • Location: Grays
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays

We're closed Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.